United States Vice President Mike Pence agrees Pakistan is providing a safe haven to terror groups including the Taliban while making his surprise to Afghanistan late Thursday evening.
Pence met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the country’s Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah repeating US President Donald Trump’s warning to neighboring Pakistan to stop offering safe havens to Taliban militant groups.
He said, “Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with the US, and Pakistan has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists.”
The VP promised Ghani of more support to Afghanistan in terms of economic development to bring stability and peace.
Ghani meanwhile applauded the Donald Trump strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia. Currently there are more than 11,000 American troups posted in the country following additional of 3,000 personnel in September.
Afghanistan will have parliamentary elections in 2018 and presidential elections in 2019. Both the leaders agreed for timely polls.
Meanwhile, Abdullah Abdullah praised the support of US forces and said they support the new announcement of the new Afghan strategy.
He said problem of terrorist havens is a serious problem for them and keeps the hope that Pakistan would work in dismantling the sanctuaries.
Talking about the security situation Abdullah Abdullah said their own forces have faced many challenges but was able to thwart the plans of Taliban, Islamic State of Afghanistan and Al Qaeda.
Pence was in Afghanistan for about seven and a half hours.
Couple of months ago Trump unveiled new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia.
