ISLAMABAD, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Thursday told the visiting top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General John Allen, that Pak-U.S. relationship should be based on mutual trust, respect and transparency, the military said.
Both the top military commanders met at the headquarters of the Pakistani army in Rawalpindi and discussed matters related to border coordination, said the military in a statement.
General Kayani said that the current meeting has helped towards improving strategic and operational understanding between Pakistan Military and NATO Forces in Afghanistan.
The day-long visit of General John Allen, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), to Pakistan was the first by any U.S. top general since Pakistan unblocked supply line for NATO forces in Afghanistan.
"This meeting was another in a series of opportunities for the Commanders to continue building upon the growing operational cooperation between the Afghanistan National Security Force, the Pakistan military and ISAF," said the army statement.
"All three parties have many shared interests, including their respective commitments to expanding opportunities for coordinated action against terrorists on respective sides of the border, who threaten Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the region and supporting Afghanistan's security, stability, and efforts towards reconciliation," it said.
The statement said they also share a responsibility for protecting the brave Afghan and Pakistani soldiers working in the border region, adding the future security and stability of the region rests in large part on the strength of the partnership these discussions are forging.
The talks also recognized the importance of future opportunities for key Afghan National Security Force, Pakistani military and ISAF senior leaders to meet, explore means to expand the partnership, and continue this vital work, the statement said.
General John R. Allen during the meeting said that he is pleased with the upward spiral in our relationship they represent. "We are making significant progress toward building a partnership that is enduring, strategic, carefully defined, and that enhances the security and prosperity of the region," he said.
The visit came at a time when tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan has reached a peak over cross-border attacks.
Afghanistan says that Pakistani forces are firing rockets on its border regions, which have caused casualties and displaced hundreds of families.
Pakistan on its part argues that militants launch attacks on its border posts and villages and that foreign and Afghan forces have failed to stop these attacks.
A military official says that the militants have carried out 15 attacks on Pakistani posts over the past one year and killed around 100 security personnel and civilians.
Pakistan says it has raised the issue of cross-border attacks by militants with ISAF as well as Afghanistan
A statement issued by the Pakistani foreign ministry said the most recent major cross-border attacks took place in Dir district in the northwest and Bajaur tribal region on June 24 and July 12 this year respectively.
"These cross border attacks were successfully repulsed," the statement said.
Pakistan has earlier said that about 23 Pakistani soldiers were killed in attack on a check post in Dir district.
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