Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Pakistan for two-day visit

I hope he is not as anti Pakistan as Karazi was.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Pakistan for two-day visit - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

ISLAMABAD: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Islamabad on Friday for a two-day visit to the country.

He arrived at the Nur Khan airbase where he was received by Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz.

Ghani was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior leaders, cabinet ministers, high-ranking officials and business representatives.

Ghani is scheduled to hold a meeting with President Mamnoon Hussain today and another meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tomorrow.

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Pakistan is one of the first countries President Ghani, who was sworn in in September, has chosen to visit. He earlier toured Saudi Arabia and China.

Ghani’s visit is being regarded as a two-day fence-mending mission.

Its outcome would indicate how the relationship has transformed with the change in government in Kabul from one marred with deep distrust to a cautious desire for cooperation.

Islamabad’s relations with Kabul, which have historically been tense and complicated, plummeted to new lows over the past couple of years due to reignited border disputes, counter-terrorism differences and exchange of allegations. At the root of the tensions between the two countries are unfulfilled expectations on both sides.

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The peaceful transition to the unity government in Afghanistan after the elections this year has provided the two countries a unique opportunity to move forward leaving behind the legacy of mutual distrust.

Pakistan took the first steps to rebuild the frayed ties by sending President Mamnoon Hussain to the oath-taking ceremony of President Ghani. This was followed by visits by Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz and Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif.

Re: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Pakistan for two-day visit

Can you explain how Karzai was anti Pakistan?
Karzai spoke about terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan and you cannot deny their existence. He highlighted the double game of ISI and Pak army, i.e good Taliban vs bad Taliban and the ground realities has proven him right. Sanctuaries of good Taliban still exist in Pakistan and the double game is still in full swing. Regarding that he was close to India, well the fact is he made 21 visits to Pakistan as compared to 11 to India.

Re: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Pakistan for two-day visit

I just hope the new president wouldnt be as corrupt as Karzai. Only then he'd be able to focus on country's problems and bring peace.

A peaceful Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan.

Re: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Pakistan for two-day visit

Karzai is not anti or pro anyone or anything. He is a blackmailer who can only be shut up with currency notes.

Re: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Pakistan for two-day visit

Afghan president visited GHQ, which is significant. Hamid Karzaie was never invited to GHQ (as far as I remember). Seems like Pakistan Army and New Afghan President both want to start fresh.

I was reading an Rahimullah Yousufzai's interview about Ashraf Ghani. He said Ashraf does not have baggage to carry. He has not previously worked with Pakistani establishments and has never lived in Pakistan so he does not have past grudges that Karzai had and he will start from clean slate which could be a good for both countries.

Re: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Pakistan for two-day visit

I don't know where you were for 10 odd years but surely Karzai was biggest idiot around. On one hand he let Afghanistan to be used by Indians against Pakistan, always issued statements against Pakistan on EVERY given opportunity and made no effort to reduce tension between the two nations, hopefully the snake rots in hell. Hopefully Ashraf Ghani will act differently as two nations have lot to gain from each other and can do a lot to bring peace.

Re: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Pakistan for two-day visit

That's what i have heard as well, hopefully it is new beginning for both countries.