Pakistan’s army chief hosts Afghan security adviser

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Afghan national security advisor met Pakistan’s army chief Wednesday to discuss the ongoing reconciliation process in the war-weary country, the Pakistani military said.

Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa hosted Hamdullah Mohib at the army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, northern Pakistan.

Mohib, who arrived in Islamabad on a day-long visit upon a special invitation from Bajwa, also treated the Pak-Afghan border management -- another bone of contention between the two neighbors -, said a statement by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media arm of the Pakistani army.

“Matters related to mutual interest, peace and stability in the region, Pak-Afghan border management and prospects for peace with particular emphasis on reconciliation process in Afghanistan were discussed during the meeting,”, the statement added.

Pakistan had brokered the landmark first round of direct talks between the fragile Afghan government, and the Taliban in Islamabad in July 2015, but the process broke down after the Taliban announced the death of their long-term leader Mullah Omer triggering a bitter power struggle within the militia.

Chance for the resumption of the stalled process went further dim following death of Mullah Omer’s successor, Mullah Mansur in a U.S. drone strike in 2016 on Pakistan’s side near Afghanistan border.

In recent months, however, Washington has stepped up efforts, including direct talks with the Taliban in a bid to bring an end a nearly 18 year-long conflict in Afghanistan.

The Special U.S Representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad has paid numerous visits to the region and held multiple rounds of direct talks- sponsored by Islamabad- with the Taliban in last six months.

Pakistan also released two top Taliban commanders, including the former deputy chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, in October 2017 on the U.S. demand to help facilitate the Afghan peace process. Mullah Baradar is heading the Taliban delegation in the intra-Afghan dialogue in Moscow.

Taliban have opened new battle fronts across the war-torn nation in recent months as Afghan security forces -- suffering casualties and desertions -- struggle to beat back a revitalized insurgency.