British High Commissioner meets NSA: discusses regional security issues

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Thomas Drew met National Security Adviser Lt Gen (R) Nasser Janjua here Tuesday and discussed issues pertaining to security and stability of the region.

Both also discussed recent developments in Pak-Afghan relations in the backdrop of NSA’s visit to Kabul came under discussion.

The envoy felicitated NSA over his successful visit to Kabul and expressed hope that this visit would act as an impetus to strengthen bilateral engagements between the two countries, in future.

NSA gave a brief view of his visit to Afghanistan and termed it satisfactory. Further impetus will be added with the visit of Prime Minister to Afghanistan on April 6, 2018.

He expressed his appreciation for the peace offer made by President Ghani and stressed that all the stakeholders should play a positive role in making the best use of this offer to seek peace in Afghanistan.

Talking to the envoy, NSA reiterated that Pakistan and Afghanistan needed to resume and strengthen political, diplomatic, military, intelligence and people to people cooperation.

NSA conveyed a strong commitment of Pakistan to continue to make efforts for sustainable peace in Afghanistan for a political settlement.

“We actually need a cooperative framework and functional relationship with Afghanistan to support the peace process and further improving the bilateral relationship for which Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) presents a better remedy”, he added.

Thomas Drew said that UK is keen to play a constructive role for the stability of the region and to facilitate peace process in Afghanistan.

Both sides agreed to work together for the shared objective of peace in Afghanistan and the region.