Pak welcomes power-sharing deal in Afghanistan

Pakistan today welcomed as a "positive development" a key power-sharing deal between neighbouring Afghanistan's two rival presidential candidates that ended a stalemate over disputed election results in the war-torn nation.
The 'unity government' deal was signed by rival Afghan presidential contenders Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah.
"The government and the people of Pakistan have welcomed the agreement signed by the two Presidential candidates in Afghanistan regarding the establishment of a government of national unity," said a statement released by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Pakistan regards the signing of this agreement as a positive development," Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said.

"This outcome has been possible due to the wise and sagacious leadership of Dr Ashraf Ghani and Dr Abdullah Abdullah," she added.
"We congratulate the two leaders and the brotherly people of Afghanistan and reaffirm Pakistan's support for all their efforts to build a peaceful, stable and unified Afghanistan," the statement further said.

Earlier today, the two rivals signed a power-sharing deal to end months of controversy over election results. Under the deal, a national unity government will be formed in the country.
Ghani will take over as President of Afghanistan while Abdullah will nominate a 'chief executive', thereby ending a lingering deadlock over disputed poll results at a crucial moment in the war-weary nation's history.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have long shared fraught ties with both neighbours accusing each other of harbouring militants who launch attacks on both sides of the border.