RAWALPINDI
\nIn a meeting with acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between the two countries to \u201ceffectively tackle the common challenges of terrorism and extremism\u201d.
\nAccording to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) late on Saturday, Muttaqi \u2014 who is currently in Pakistan on a four-day visist to participate in bilateral and trilateral meetings \u2014 called on the army chief at his office.
\nSince its launch in 2017, the trilateral dialogue mechanism has become an important platform for the three countries to enhance understanding and deepen mutual trust and cooperation. The dialogue this time is taking place at a time when cross-border attacks from Afghanistan are on the rise.
\nThe statement said the two discussed issues of mutual interest, including aspects related to regional security, border management, and formalisation of bilateral security mechanisms for \u201cimprovement in the current security environment\u201d.
\n\u201cCOAS stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between the two brotherly neighbours to effectively tackle the common challenges of terrorism and extremism. He reiterated the need for full support and commitment from the Afghan interim government in matters of mutual interest,\u201d the ISPR said, adding that the COAS also reaffirmed \u201cPakistan\u2019s commitment to a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan\u201d.
\nThe statement added that the Afghan minister appreciated Pakistan\u2019s support for the people of Afghanistan and acknowledged the \u201cimportant role that Pakistan continues to play in facilitating peace and development in Afghanistan\u201d.
\nMuttaqi also expressed his desire to work closely with Pakistan to promote regional stability and prosperity, it added.
\nBoth sides agreed on the importance of maintaining regular contact to strengthen bilateral ties and address issues of common concern.
\nSeparately, COAS Munir also met with Qin Gang, China\u2019s state councillor and foreign minister, who is also in Pakistan alongside the Afghan minister.
\n\u201cMatters of mutual interest, including regional security and defence cooperation, came under discussion,\u201d the ISPR said.
\nDuring the meeting, the army chief reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to the China-Pakistan strategic relationship. COAS Munir also pledged full support for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and appreciated Beijing\u2019s unwavering support for Pakistan on regional and international issues, the statement said.
\nMeanwhile, the Chinese minister underscored the importance of the longstanding strategic relationship between the two countries and expressed satisfaction over CPEC\u2019s progress while reiterating his country\u2019s commitment to its timely completion.
\n\u201cHe also appreciated Pakistan\u2019s efforts in maintaining regional peace and stability, especially the support of Pakistan\u2019s armed forces for the provision of security to Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan,\u201d the ISPR said.
\nThe two dignitaries also discussed the evolving security situation in the region.
\nThe army chief acknowledged China\u2019s role in promoting peace and stability in the region, and both sides agreed to enhance their existing cooperation in defence and security domains to effectively counter common security challenges, the statement said.
\n\u201cThe meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides reiterating their resolve to further strengthen the time-tested, all-weather friendship between Pakistan and China,\u201d the ISPR said.
\nAt \u201cproductive\u201d trilateral talks on Saturday, Pakistan and China assured Afghan\u00acistan of their cooperation so that the conflict-torn country begins its journey towards stability.
\nAt the 5th Trilateral Foreign Ministers Dialo\u00acgue, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and his Chinese and Afghan counterparts, held productive discussion on matters of mutual interest, including political engagement, counter-terrorism, trade and connectivity.
\nThe trilateral dialogue was followed by the 4th round of Sino-Pak strategic dialogue.
\nBilawal, while speaking at a joint stakeout with Qin after the strategic dialogue, stressed that peace and stability in Afghanistan remained vital for the socioeconomic development, connectivity and prosperity of the region.
\n\u201cWe will continue to work together with all sta\u00ack\u00aceholders for peaceful, stable, prosperous and united Afghanistan,\u201d he said.
\nThe foreign minister said engagement with the Afghan authorities was a must and it was their consistent message to them \u201chelp us help you\u201d.
\nHe said unlocking Afghanistan\u2019s potential is crucial for the benefit of its people, and that achieving stability and peace in the country is essential.
\nHe said the core issue and red line was terrorism, which posed a serious threat to regional peace and was a stumbling block in the way of prosperity for the Afghan people.
\nHe said that during his recent SCO-CFM meetings in India, they discussed different projects within the framework of SCO including CASA, Trans-Afghan railways, but all these projects hinged upon addressing the security issues in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
RAWALPINDI In a meeting with acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between the two countries to \u201ceffectively tackle the common challenges of terrorism and extremism\u201d. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) late on Saturday, Muttaqi […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":329922,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-329908","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n