Pak PM Imran Khan meets President Ashraf Ghani on his maiden Afghan visit

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday met with President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani in Kabul and two leaders explored ways to deepen bilateral ties and discussed Afghan reconciliation process, amidst an uptick in violence that has strained peace push in war-torn country.

Khan was received by Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar and Afghan President's Special Representative for Pakistan Mohammad Umer Daudzai and senior officials upon his arrival at Kabul airport on his maiden trip to Afghanistan, officials said.

He was received by President Ghani received on his arrival at ARG Presidential Palace, situated in heart of Kabul city.Khan was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, ISI chief Lt. Gen. Faiz Hamid, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood and Special Representative for Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq.

According to officials, two leaders discussed ways to furr strengn bilateral relations, peace process and regional ecomic development and connectivity.y agreed to strengn bilateral relations as people of Pakistan and Afghanistan are linked through bonds of history, faith, culture, values and traditions.Khan expressed confidence that his visit would help foster a stronger and multi-faceted relationship between two countries.

visit will help foster a stronger and multi-faceted relationship between two countries, according to Pakistan Foreign Office.This is Khan's first visit to Afghanistan since assuming office in 2018. It is highest-profile visit by a Pakistani official to Kabul since peace talks began between Taliban and Afghan government in Doha in September.It comes days after Pentagon anunced it would reduce number of US military personnel in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500 by mid-January. anuncement came as re has been an uptick in violence, with Taliban continuing to carry out attacks targeting government leaders, security forces, and civilians.

President Ghani last visited Pakistan in June 2019.

Pakistan prime minister's visit is being billed as a symbol of increasing confidence between two countries, triggered by Pakistan's role in bringing Taliban to negotiation table, after years of acrimony between Islamabad and Kabul.

Earlier, two leaders had a bilateral meeting on sidelines of 14th OIC Summit in Makkah in May 2019. Khan also had a telephonic conversation with President Ghani in September 2020.

(IM CREDITS:PTI)