“Hot Line” Established Between Pakistan and Afghanistan Militaries

A new hotline has been established between Afghanistan and Pakistan militaries after Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Kabul.

Pakistani and Afghan top military officials established a “Hot Line” and talked for the first time on Wednesday, amid renewed efforts to increase security cooperation, the Pakistani military said.

The direct line has been established between the Director Generals Military Operations of both the countries while “pursuing decision in the Army Chief General Raheel Sharif’s visit to Kabul on 27 December,” the army spokesman, Lt. Gen Asim Bajwa said.

Highlights

• Diplomatic efforts have been stepped up for an end to the deadlock in the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
• A quadrilateral meeting of Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the US is scheduled to be held in Kabul next week to explore revival of talks
• The mechanism was established during the Fifth Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference held in Islamabad this month.
• All four countries agreed to work together to create a conducive atmosphere that encourages Taliban groups to engage in meaningful and sustained negotiations.

The establishment of the hotline was seen as a major development as it would end the mistrust between the two sides and boost security cooperation.

The visit of the Pakistani army chief was important as the two sides agreed on action against those Taliban who refuse to join the peace process.

Both DGs of Military Operation discussed military-to-military issues, modalities, dates of meetings between the Corps Commanders of the two sides, measures to enhance coordination along border

Lt. Gen Asim Bajwa, Pakistani military spokesman

The talks were cancelled after the death of the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, was revealed.

Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the US expressed full commitment to enabling an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned political process that promotes a dialogue between the Afghan government and Taliban groups, including on reduction and renunciation of violence.

Earlier, Pakistan Chief Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed thoughts on ending the hostility between India and Pakistan.

The Indian Prime Minister came to Lahore and gave us his few hours. It is high time the countries put aside their hostilities...Goodwill gestures are the solution to many ills.

Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister, Pakistan

(With inputs from IANS)