Pak hopes Afghanistan will work for preventing cross-border terrorism

Islamabad [Pakistan], Mar. 25 (ANI): Pakistan has expressed hope that Afghanistan will work through the agreed mechanism for preventing cross-border terrorism and enhancing bilateral interaction in different areas. "We hope that the two countries will work through the agreed mechanism for cooperation for preventing cross-border terrorism and enhancing bilateral interaction in different areas," said Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Nafees Zakaria. Responding to a poser on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordering immediate opening of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as a goodwill gesture, Zakaria said it is expected that Kabul will take measures to address the reasons that led to the closure of the border. "The meeting in London also focused on the need for an institutional mechanism for counter-terrorism cooperation, to which Afghan side was agreeable," he added. Prime Minister Sharif had earlier ordered the re-opening of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border with immediate effect as a goodwill gesture, considering the religious, cultural and historical relations between both sides. Sharif hoped that the Afghan Government would take measures to eliminate terrorists present on their soil. "A durable peace in Afghanistan is essential for peace and stability in the region," he said. Pakistan had closed the border last month post a string of deadly militant attacks, which the military leadership claimed were carried out by militants operating from safe havens in Afghanistan. (ANI)