Pakistan-Afghanistan begin negotiation mechanism to address terror concerns

Pakistan has said that it has begun a negotiation mechanism with Afghanistan which will enable both nations to address each other's concerns over terrorism.

"Both sides have said that terrorism is a common enemy and both sides agree that there should be cooperation for dealing with this issue. We are holding discussions for a joint mechanism," Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said at a media briefing on the upcoming Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have a history of accusing each other over harbouring terrorists, and the issue came into the spotlight once again following the recent string of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, which claimed over 100 lives.

Pakistan reacted angrily and closed border crossings with Afghanistan, demanded hand­over of 76 wanted terrorists and shelled terrorist hideouts on the Afghan side of the border.

In response, Afghanistan demanded the handover of 85 leaders of Taliban, Haqqani Network and other terrorist groups and action against 32 alleged terrorist training centres, besides issuing a warning that continued violence would push it to seek international sanctions against "terrorist groups and their supporters".