Pak, Afghan army chiefs discuss security issues, defence ties

The army chiefs of Pakistan and Afghanistan today held a meeting and discussed security issues and measures to enhance defence ties and training cooperation between the two armies.
Afghanistan army chief General Sher Mohammad Karimi visited the Pakistan Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi where he met General Raheel Sharif and discussed various security matters.
"During the meeting, matters related to peace and stability in the region especially in Afghanistan, Pak-Afghan border management and measures to further enhance defence and training cooperation between the two armies were discussed," the army said in a statement.
No further details of the meeting were given but it is believed that the issues related to talks between Taliban militants and Kabul dominated the meeting.

Afghan president Ashraf Ghani yesterday said that Pakistan should help in having talks with the militants who have been fighting the Afghan security forces.
The Pak-Afghan ties had been tense during the previous administration of Hamid Karzai, who often blamed Pakistan for providing "safe havens" to groups carrying out cross-border attacks into Afghanistan.

But after President Ashraf Ghani took over last year, the ties improved considerably.
The military cooperation has also increased between the two countries and Afghan army cadets for the first time are getting training at Pakistan's premier military institute.
General Karimi will be the chief guest at the passing out parade at Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul tomorrow and will also address the parade.