Pak-Afghan ties improved

Pak-Afghan ties have been warming at a time when sharp differences have emerged between Pakistan and the US on the endgame in the war-torn country and on launching a military operation against militant strongholds in North Waziristan, a media report said Wednesday.The improved relations between Islamabad and Kabul could be "signalling a new strategic alignment" and greater cooperation between the two sides in the run-up to the withdrawal of US and foreign forces from Afghanistan, the Dawn quoted unnamed sources as saying.Pakistan recently "revisited its Afghan policy and committed itself to non-interference and a hands-off policy," the sources were quoted as saying.

Pakistan and Afghanistan had also agreed to undertake "practical and pragmatic steps for peace and reconciliation." Progress on the proposed joint peace council for united efforts for the peace process in Afghanistan is also expected, the report said.These developments come at a time when Washington has stepped up pressure on Islamabad to speedily move troops into North Waziristan tribal agency, and Pakistan has increased efforts to ensure a key role for itself in deciding the future of Afghanistan after the US troop withdrawal.In recent interactions with Afghan and American functionaries, Pakistani leaders have highlighted the need for a strategic alignment among the three countries.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir travelled to Kabul over the weekend for policy consultations and exploring ways to strengthen bilateral ties. His visit was preceded by a trip of an Afghan High Peace Council delegation to Islamabad for discussions on the reconciliation process.Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul is expected to visit Pakistan soon to take forward this process, which was initiated when Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani traveled to Kabul last month.

At the same time, Pakistan has repeatedly said in recent days that it will not accept any new "great game" in Afghanistan an apparent reference to foreign forces interfering in the country after the US troop pullout.This message was also conveyed to US Vice President Joseph Biden during his recent visit to Pakistan.
Media agencies