Afghanistan

Pakistan and the US have resumed their talks for devising joint strategies to combat militancy along the restive Pak-Afghan border, days after America handed over a top Pakistani Taliban militant to the country. The talks were held amid signs of improvement in relations between the defence establishments of the two countries.

Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani said Friday the international forces would launch a new mission in Afghanistan to provide support and consultations for the local forces. The beginning of next year will witness the launch of non-combat operations of international forces in Afghanistan, which means the mandate of these troops will …

In the dusty badlands along its disputed border with Afghanistan, Pakistan is carving out a massive trench to keep out separatists, smugglers and militants in an attempt to bring order to a lawless, tribal region. But like the Berlin Wall or Israel’s West Bank barrier, the planned 485-km trench is …

Afghanistan has agreed to target militants attacking Pakistan from alleged sanctuaries on its soil, in a significant move which suggests a thaw in their frayed ties and anti-terror cooperation between them. Pakistan had demanded Afghanistan several times through official and unofficial channels to uproot the chief of outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan …

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday invited the Taliban to join in a peace process backed by the international community. Speaking at a conference on Afghan peace and reconstruction in Beijing, Mr. Ghani made no specific proposals and indicated government forces wouldn’t back away from the fight. However, his mention …

Pakistan’s support for a peaceful, stabile, united and prosperous Afghanistan has been acknowledged by the United Nations when on Tuesday. Jan Kubis, UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, acknowledged country’s important contribution towards peace and stability and deeper engagement on issues of trade, reconstruction, rehabilitation, regional and economic cooperation …

British Prime Minister David Cameron today became the first world leader to hold talks with newly-inaugurated Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, as Nato troops end their long war against the Taliban. Mr Cameron arrived in Kabul on the unannounced visit after visiting an airbase in Cyprus, where British jets launching strikes …

More than 200 people largely civilians were killed and hundreds others wounded in attacks and conflicts in Afghanistan last month, according to official statistics. On Monday, four security personnel and three civilians were killed and 13 others wounded when a suicide bomber targeted a security checkpoint near Kabul airport.

France early Monday said it welcomed the end of the stand-off in Afghanistan over the outcome of the Afghan Presidential election, which has been disputed between two protagonists for several months.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday urged presidential candidates Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Abdullah Abdullah to reach an agreement soon on a national unity government.