KABUL, (Raja Furqan Ahmed) : A Pakistani delegation of senior officials led by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday visited Kabul to discuss matters related to security, including counter-terrorism measures, with the Afghanistan interim government. According to the details, the delegation includes Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq, Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan, and Kabul mission head Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani. While confirming the visit, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that “A high-ranking delegation led by the minister for defence is in Kabul today to meet with officials of the Afghan interim government to discuss security-related matters including counter-terrorism measures.” In a separate statement, the office of the Afghan deputy PM stated that the two parties discussed economic cooperation, regional connectivity, trade, and bilateral relations during the meeting. “Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighbours and should have cordial relations. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants expansion of commercial and economic relations with Pakistan as such relations are in the interest of both countries,” the statement quoted Mullah Baradar as saying. He noted that political and security issues should not affect trade and economic matters between the two countries and be kept separate from political and security problems. The statement said that the Afghan deputy prime minister asked the Pakistani delegation to release Afghans detained in jails across Pakistan. He also urged Pakistan to ensure facilities for Afghan passengers at the Torkham and Chaman-Spin Boldak borders, with special consideration for emergency patients. The statement added that the Pakistani side assured the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to resolve the problems. The delegation said that the concerned ministries and committees would be asked to step up efforts for solutions to these problems. The visit comes against the backdrop of a recent surge in Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sponsored terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Sources say Islamabad will persuade the Afghan interim government to live up to its commitment of not allowing Afghan soil to be used by the TTP and its affiliates. The visit also comes as thousands of trucks remained stranded at the Torkham border crossing following the Taliban’s closing of the key gateway on February 19. The Taliban closed Torkham for what they said was Pakistan’s failure to fulfil a pledge that it will allow movement for Afghans without valid travel documents for medical purposes.