Afghan NSA, Pak army chief discuss security

Afghan National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar on Sunday called on Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss bilateral relations, border security and the Afghan peace process.

"The two sides agreed to fast-track the formulation of working groups, especially on bilateral security cooperation and to undertake measures that would assist both sides in the reduction of violence at the hands of terrorists," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement, issued on Sunday night.

Atmar was accompanied by Interior Minister Waris Barmak and the head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), Masum Stankzai.

According to the Express Tribune, the Afghan delegation held talks at the Prime Minister's Office with National Security Adviser Lt.Gen. (retired) Nasser Khan Janjua and later at the General Headquarters with Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

This comes after Afghanistan and Pakistan finalised a joint action plan on peace.

The plan, known as the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), was agreed following Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's visit to Afghanistan last month.