Raheel pledges support for Afghan peace talks

Pakistan today promised support for peace efforts in Afghanistan as Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif held talks with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and discussed regional security and border management issues with him.
Raheel, who made a brief stopover in Kabul to attend the Change of Command Ceremony of the US and NATO forces, reiterated Pakistan's support to the Afghan leadership.
He discussed regional security and border management with Ghani and promised support for peace efforts in Afghanistan, army spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said.
Raheel was on his way back to Pakistan after a day-long visit to Tajikistan, where he called on Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and discussed challenges regarding fighting terrorism and the Afghan peace process.

He also met United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Gen Joseph Dunford, Gen Lloyd J Austin Commander US Central Command (Centcom) and Resolute Support Mission Commander Gen Nicholson.
The meetings focused on checking cross-border movement of terrorists and coordination regarding the Pakistani operation in Shawal area of North Waziristan.

US Army General Nicholson today took command of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Nicholson, 58, took over from US Army General John F Campbell, who oversaw the end of the international combat mission in 2014 and a subsequent escalation in the Taliban's war against Kabul.
Raheel's visit took place amid hectic efforts to arrange a meeting of Taliban and Afghan representatives in Pakistan.

The meeting was announced last week when officials of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the US met in Kabul to discuss peace in Afghanistan.
No date has been fixed for the meeting but it is expected to take place before the end of this week.
According to security officials, there are still hurdle as Taliban wants relief ahead of Talks and are pushing for release of their men held in Pakistan and Afghanistan.