Afghan leader urges dialogue with Pakistan

new york — Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has appealed to Pakistan to work together to curb extremists, seeing an opportunity as the United States sends in more troops.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Ghani said US President Donald Trump’s new Afghan strategy sent a signal to Taleban militants that they cannot win on the field and must negotiate peace.

“We welcome this strategy, which has now set us on a pathway to certainty. The Afghan people have looked to the United States for this type of resolve for years,” Ghani said. “We now also have an opportunity for a dialogue with our neighbors on how we can work

I call upon pakistan to engage with us on a comprehensive state to state dialogue on peace, security and regional cooperation leading to prosperity Ashraf Ghani, Afghan President

together earnestly to eliminate terrorism and contain extremism,” Ghani said.

“I call upon Pakistan to engage with us on a comprehensive state to state dialogue on peace, security and regional cooperation leading to prosperity,” he said.

Pakistan has responded cooly to Trump’s criticism, with many Pakistanis noting that they themselves have been a major victim of attacks since their government sided with the United States following September 11.

Analysts see Pakistan’s continued relationship with insurgents as part of a fixation on containing arch rival India, which has also been accused of sponsoring terror activities on Pakistani soil. —