File Photo. Aref Karimi—AFP
High-level visit hopes to rebuild trust between the neighbors as Operation Zarb-e-Azb continues along mutual border.
A delegation of senior Afghan officials is due to arrive in Pakistan on Thursday to address the security concerns of both countries along their mutual border, according to a senior official in the Foreign Office.
“A high-level delegation comprising Afghan parliamentarians and defense officials will reach Islamabad tomorrow,” said the official on condition of anonymity. “The basic aim of the visit is to rebuild trust between the neighbors on security issues related to the Pak-Afghan border,” he added.
The Pakistan Army launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan, along the Afghan border, on June 15. There has been concern that militants fleeing the offensive might seek refuge across the border in Afghanistan and Islamabad has urged Kabul to help it root out the extremists. On July 1, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa told journalists that Kabul had been requested to arrest and repatriate Mullah Fazlullah, who leads the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and is believed to be hiding in Afghanistan. There has been no Afghan response to the request yet.
“The Afghan delegation is due to visit the Military Headquarters in Rawalpindi to meet Maj. Gen. Aamir Riaz, the director general of the military operation, to address any military concerns,” said a senior military official, also speaking on condition of anonymity. “The delegation will also visit the Pak-Afghan border area with Pakistan military officials,” he added.