Pakistan army chief to visit Kabul on Afghan peace, border management

Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif will hold talks with Afghan leaders in Kabul on Sunday, with focus on revival of Afghan reconciliation process as well as better border management, the army said.

General Raheel Sharif is scheduled to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and senior military leaders during his day-long visit which is seen very important to end the deadlock in the reconciliation process.

The first face-to-face Pakistan- brokered talks between the representatives of the Afghan government and the Taliban in 14 years were cancelled in late July due to the revelation of the death of Taliban leader Mullah Omar.

"Both sides will exchange suggestions over the revival of the peace process and how to improve security along the border," military spokesman Lt. General Asim Bajwa told Xinhua prior to the army chief's visit. Bajwa will accompany the army chief.

"Our quest would be that work for peace is a shared responsibility and everyone should play their role," the spokesman said.

Coordination for a better border management system will also come under discussion to stop illegal crossings, he said.

The two countries share a nearly 2,500 km-long border. Militants of the Taliban and other groups often take advantage of the rugged mountains to cross the border from either side.

Revival of bilateral border coordination centers at two official border points will be discussed during the army chief's visit, security officials said.

Sources said Pakistan will also reiterate its offer for training Afghan security forces in its defence institutions.

Afghanistan sent five soldiers for training in Pakistan's Kakul Military Academy earlier this year. Enditem