PAKISTAN, AF HOLD TALKS AMID SECURITY CONCERNS

KABUL/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s minister of state for foreign affairs met Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister in Kabul on Tuesday. The visit comes at a time of heightened security concerns in areas bordering Afghanistan after the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) said on Monday it would no longer abide by a months-long ceasefire with the Pakistani government. The Afghan Taliban have been facilitating peace talks between local militants and Pakistan authorities since late last year.

Pakistan’s minister of state Hina Rabbani Khar met with acting Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Gen Munir takes charge

General Asim Munir on Tuesday took charge as Pakistan’s new army chief. Munir, who was named as the new chief last week, takes control at a time when the army has been drawn into a political showdown between the government and former PM Imran Khan.

“I am certain that his (Munir’s) appointment will prove positive for the army and the country,” outgoing chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said at a ceremony in Rawalpindi.