Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani held their first face-to-face meeting on May 31 on the sidelines of the 14th annual summit of Islamic countries in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Ghani’s spokesperson Samim Arif, in a tweet, reported the two leaders “discussed a host of issues including mutual trade, regional connectivity to eradicate poverty in both countries and counter terrorism efforts.”
According to Arif, the meeting was a prelude to Ghani’s official visit to Islamabad which is scheduled in June this year.
“Afghanistan is ready to leave its bitter history with Pakistan behind, and move toward a constructive state to state ties based on mutual respect rather than recrimination and hostility,” the tweet said.
According to a statement by Pakistani foreign ministry, PM Imran Khan reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, reiterating that an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process was indispensable for a political solution. The statement added that the two agreed on the need to work closely for intensifying cooperation on such issues as energy, security, trade, and cultural collaboration.
The US Special Representative for Afghan Peace Zalmay Khalilzad also welcomed the meeting in a tweet, stating:
“[I] welcome the news that President Ashraf Ghani and PM Imran Khan met on the margins of OIC Summit. Improved Af-Pak ties are key to reaching, implementing & capitalizing on opportunities for regional connectivity, integration & development. US stands ready to assist the Afghan Peace Process”.
The rare interaction at the highest level is the latest sign of easing tensions that offers a glimmer of hope for improvement in their otherwise traditionally tense relations.
