There have been many reports suggesting that the ISIL is attempting to gain foothold in the border areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It remains to be seen whether the ISIL will be able to execute its terrorist agenda in the Af/Pak region. At the moment, other terrorist organizations like the Haqqani network and TTP pose a serious concern for Pakistan and Afghanistan. To make matters worse, these terrorist organizations have taken full advantage of the divide between both countries by regularly infiltrating the region with their acts of terror. With all that said, it is a great sign to see the senior leaders from both countries meeting to improve ties. Speaking ahead of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s first official visit to Islamabad this weekend, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard G. Olson, praised confidence-building measures by both sides, including Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Ambassador Olson said: “I think there is quite genuinely a basis for a new relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both sides are aware of this historical moment and making efforts to seize it.” The Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, during his one-day visit in Kabul last week, also emphasized the importance of shared cooperation against the terrorists.
Don’t you agree that shared cooperation and coordination is the key to negating the common threat of terrorism in the region? What would you like to see both nations discuss in this upcoming meeting?
Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
