Pakistan army chief Raheel Sharif in Afghanistan to revive talks with Taliban

ISLAMABAD | KABUL: Pakistan's powerful army chief General Raheel Sharif today arrived in Kabul to hold talks with the Afghan leadership on security issues, including reviving stalled peace talks with the Taliban.

Gen Sharif will meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and other civil as well as military leaders during day-long trip.

Army spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa said Gen Sharif had gone to Kabul "with all the sincerity and optimism for better border management and peace process in Afghanistan."

His visit takes place after Ghani visited Islamabad this month for Heart of Asia conference and met senior leaders, leading to thaw in tense bilateral ties.

Afghanistan is apparently not happy with Pakistan due to violent attacks by the Taliban hiding across the border.

Kabul wants Islamabad to exercise its influence on militants to shun violence and join the mainstream political system by accepting the constitution of the country.

Gen Sharif last time visited Kabul with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in May and that led to first round of talks between Afghan government and Taliban in July.

Sources said that already efforts are on way to arrange another meeting between militants and Afghan officials next month and this visit would be instrumental in this regard.

Besides peace talks with the Taliban, Islamabad is pushing Kabul to take action against Pakistani militants allegedly hiding in Afghanistan and carrying out attacks.