KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani has said an atmosphere of trust should be created between the premier spy agencies of Afghanistan and Pakistan, asking parliament to appoint a delegation to evaluate a controversial agreement between the two agencies.

A statement from the Presidential Palace said the president met with Wolesi Jirga members, including Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, last night.

The president explained the political and overall situation of the country and progress so far made in connection with international relations and assistance.

The statement said the president told lawmakers that the country’s current situation needed a nationwide mobilization and political consensus.

He said the National Directorate of Security (NDS) was a national institution and he had invested in the agency from the day one.

The president said they had made clear the standards for peace. Armed militants would be denied safe havens, resources, medical treatment and others, he said.

He added the world also supported these standards and wanted the creation of an atmosphere of trust between the NDS and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

He said he had started consultations for changes to the accord and asked lawmakers to appoint a delegation to look into the document, which would go to the parliament in order to speak from a strong forum and achieve peace with dignity.

Earlier, some Wolesi Jirga members had said the deal between the NDS and the ISI had been inked. The lower house had also summoned the spymaster and the national security advisor to explain their position on the matter.

The statement from the Presidential Palace said the Wolesi Jirga speaker thanked the president for calling the consultative meeting with lawmakers and praised his clear policy toward Pakistan. (Pajhwok)