ISLAMABAD: The foreign secretary of the United Kingdom called on the army chief late on Friday to discuss regional security and Afghanistan and measures to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields”, the Inter-Services Public Relations said Saturday.
Dominic Raab and Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa “agreed to continue exploring avenues for collaboration in defence, training and counter-terrorism domains,” the press statement said.
In the backdrop of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Gen Bajwa reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to making “all-out efforts” to ensure peace and stability in the war-ravaged country and support to “an all-inclusive government” in Kabul.
The two “reiterated the desire to further enhance bilateral relations, including efforts for peace and security in the region and fight against Covid-19”, the military’s media wing said.
Following the fall of Kabul last month, London has launched a charm offensive to win over Kabul’s neighbours and secure their cooperation in evacuating UK nationals and staff who worked with British forces in Afghanistan.
On a regional tour since earlier this week, Raab has sought to quell a growing backlash over his alleged inaction while Afghanistan was falling to the Taliban, as a Tory former foreign secretary said Raab had been “caught out” over his handling of the crisis.
He arrived in Pakistan on a two-day visit on Thursday to hold talks on the evolving situation in Afghanistan in the aftermath of the insurgent group’s takeover of the country.
In his meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Raab held “frank candid discussions” about both situations on Friday and hoped for “tangible outcomes”.
Prime Minister Imran Khan @ImranKhanPTI and I discussed how we’ll work together to support the people of Afghanistan.
The international community will judge the Taliban by actions not words. pic.twitter.com/iKF8BtOqgs
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) September 3, 2021
Following his trip, the UK also agreed to review Pakistan’s status on the Covid red travel list.
During his meeting with Gen Bajwa, Raab “appreciated Pakistan’s role” in Afghanistan, the successful evacuation of foreign nationals stranded in that country and “pledged to play their role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels”, the ISPR said.
The diplomat also visited the Pakistan-Afghanistan border at Torkham, an important crossing point, to see for himself the situation on the ground, a handout from his office said. He also met members of the team supporting the current crisis response.
PAKISTAN COMMITTED TO KASHMIR CAUSE:
Meanwhile, newly-elected Kashmir Prime Minister Abdul Qayyum Niazi called on General Bajwa on Saturday and discussed with him the prevailing situation in the Indian-occupied Kashmir.
According to an ISPR press statement, the two leaders discussed “unilateral steps” India is taking in the held region and the situation along the Line of Control.
Paying tribute to Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the army chief said the deceased pro-freedom leader “selflessly struggled” for the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir throughout his life.
He also felicitated Niazi on assuming the office of the Kashmir prime minister and expressed his best wishes for the stability of the state.
Niazi praised the military for its role in the provision of security and development of the region.
General Bajwa assured him that his institution stood by the people of Kashmir firm as a rock and it would continue to lend support until they achieve their right of self-determination.
