Afghan soil won't be used against neighbours: Taliban govt to Pak NSA

National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf travelled to Afghanistan where he discussed trade ties and other issues with the top Afghan Taliban leaders who assured him that the Afghan soil would not be used against its neighbours including PakistanYusuf who led a highlevel interministerial delegation to Kabul on January 2930 held talks with Afghanistans acting Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi and Acting Foreign Minister Mullah Amir Khan MuttaqiHanafi assured the delegation led by Yusuf that the Afghan soil would not be used against its neighbours including Pakistan Dawn newspaper reportedThe policy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is clear that we will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against our neighbours and other countries a statement issued by the presidential palace in Kabul quoted Hanafi as saying according to the paperWe also want similar action from others Hanafi said while hosting the interministerial delegation in the Afghan capitalPakistan is yet to recognise Afghanistans interim government led by the TalibanYusuf the third senior Pakistani official to visit Kabul since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August just before his visit said that Pakistan was not completely optimistic of the Taliban government as organised terrorist networks are still operating in the wartorn nation and the Afghan soil is still being used against his countryThe top security official made the remarks while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs here on Thursday where he spoke about the threat posed to Pakistan by the presence of the banned TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP in AfghanistanHis remarks came in the wake of spike in terrorist attacks in Pakistan since August after the Taliban came to power belying Islamabads expectations that they would take harsh measures against their former comradesinarms and expel themThe Afghan Taliban had persuaded Pakistan to enter into talks with the TTP which Islamabad did with the vain hope that the Afghan Taliban would use their influence to tame the militant groupThe TTP announced a monthlong ceasefire on November 9 and presented tough conditions including implementation of their brand of Shariah and release of all detained rebels The government faced a backlash and refused to accept the demands and the TTP refused to extend the ceasefire once it endedThe TTP known as the Pakistan Taliban was set up as an umbrella group of several militant outfits in 2007 Its main aim is to impose its strict brand of Islam across PakistanThe group which is believed to be close to alQaeda has been blamed for several deadly attacks across Pakistan including an attack on the Army headquarters in 2009 assaults on military bases and the 2008 bombing of the Marriott Hotel in IslamabadMeanwhile a statement issued by the NSA office here on Sunday said that during his visit to Afghanistan Yusuf who also heads Afghanistan InterMinisterial Coordination Cell AICC discussed trade ties and other issues with the leaders of the host countryThe objective of the visit was to discuss with Afghan leadership the humanitarian requirements of the country and Pakistans proposals for deepening economic engagement to overcome the current challenges Afghanistan is facing it saidThe statement confirmed Yusufs meetings with Hanafi and Acting Foreign Minister Muttaqi but said they discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countriesHe also held delegationlevel meetings with other relevant Afghan Ministers and senior officials dealing with humanitarian and economic issuesThe visit yielded substantive outcomes in terms of forward movement on trade facilitation and social sector support as both sides agreed to establish a National Level Coordination Mechanism for enhancing facilitation at Border Crossing Points it saidThey also agreed to initiate barter trade modalities for which will be worked out immediatelyDuring the twoday visit Pakistan offered Afghanistan capacity building and training support in multiple sectors including Health Education Banking Customs Railways and Aviation among others it addedBoth sides also reiterated their commitment to early completion of the three major connectivity projects CASA 1000 the Turkmenistan AfghanistanPakistanIndia TAPI pipeline and TransAfghan Rail projectAfghanistan and Pakistan emphasized their commitment to ensuring peace and stability in both countries the statement addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever