Pakistan premier to arrive in Afghanistan for talks

Kabul - Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari was expected to arrive on a one-day trip to Afghanistan on Tuesday to hold talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on ways to combat Taliban-led militants active in both South-Asian nations, a government spokesman said.

"Both presidents will discuss bilateral issues, including finding better ways in fight against terrorism, and economic cooperation in their today's meeting among other issues," Siamak Herawi said.

Zardari, the widower of Pakistan's former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was elected president in September. Bhutto was killed in a suicide attack, allegedly carried out by Pakistan-based Taliban militants.

Unlike his predecessor General Pervez Musharraf, who was at daggers drawn over Karzai's accusations that Pakistan was supporting the insurgents in Afghanistan, Zardari has maintained good relations between Islamabad and Kabul.

He is also seen as more determined to fight the insurgency and has taken bold steps against rebels stationed on the border between the two countries since taking office.

Karzai attended Zardari's inauguration in September and the two have met twice since, in New York on the sidelines of UN general assembly and in Turkey.

On his first visit to Afghanistan, Zardari would be honoured with a gun salute upon his arrival in the presidential palace, officials said, adding that city residents were informed in advance in order to avoid panic in Kabul city, which has suffered several terrorist attacks in the past.

Zardari was scheduled to visit Kabul last month, but his trip was put off due to bad weather. (dpa)

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