Pakistan backs Afghanistan talks with Taliban

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has pledged his support to the Afghan president over his attempt to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table, a sign of warming ties between the two neighbours.
Ashraf Ghani, who arrived in Pakistan on Friday for a two-day visit, invited the Taliban to join Afghan national reconciliation negotiations several weeks ago.
Sharif backed Ghani’s initiative on Saturday, but added that the process must be fully Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.
“I reaffirmed that a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s vital national interest,” Sharif said at a joint news conference with Ghani, following their meeting in Islamabad.
Sharif emphasised that Pakistan’s foremost priority is building a “peaceful neighbourhood”.
“As its fundamental element, I have vision of a strong, comprehensive and enduring partnership between Pakistan and Afghanistan, contributing to the security and prosperity of our two nations, and reinforcing efforts for peace and development in the region,” he said.
Ghani called for a joint effort to “curb extremism in both countries,” saying “any instability in Pakistan affects us and any instability in Afghanistan affects you”.
Ghan’is predecessor, Hamid Karzai, frequently accused Pakistan of turning a blind eye to the Taliban and other armed fighters carrying out cross-border attacks from lawless tribal regions.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has accused Kabul of not doing enough to shut down bases on its soil for fighters attacking Pakistani targets.