RAWALPINDI (Staff Report) – Chief of General Staff Afghan National Army General Sher Muhammad Karimi on Saturday urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to increase the level of mutual cooperation to curb the common issues of militancy while addressing the 132nd long course passing out parade at Pakistan Military Academy Kakul.
Karimi, who was the chief guest at the parade ceremony, said Pakistan and Afghanistan must work together to eliminate the cancer of terrorism in from the region, he added, “we face the same challenges and there’s the same solution to them’.
Afghan army chief went on to say the terrorists and militants do not recognize any boundaries and have no religious or moral values.
General Karimi expressed optimism over ongoing strategic dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan saying it will help achieve peace and stability in the region.
“Pakistan Army is ranked amongst the world’s best armies,” he said, adding that he feels proud to attend the passing-out ceremony of Pakistan Army cadets.
Earlier, Gen Karimi handed over trophies and sword of honour amongst the outstanding cadets.
The Afghan army chief’s participation as chief guest at the passing out parade of the 132nd PMA Long Course signifies a transformation in bilateral relations over the past few months, particularly defence cooperation which once suffered from mutual mistrust.
The shift in relations started with the election of President Ashraf Ghani last year. Cooperation in counter-terrorism operations and intelligence sharing, however, intensified after the Peshawar school carnage by Taliban which left over 140 schoolchildren, teachers and other staff members dead.
Six Afghan cadets are undergoing training at the Kabul Academy since February.
Karimi, according to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), had visited General Headquarters on Friday where he held meeting with Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.
Both military heads discussed the matters related to law and order situation in the region and the ongoing curbs against terrorists at Pak-Afghan bordering areas. They agreed to continue mutual intelligence sharing and cooperating in training of the newly recruited cadets.
Previously, upon arrival in GHQ, the Afghan army chief was presented guard of the honour by a contingent of Pakistan army. He also laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada and offered Fateha for the martyrs on the occasion.
