NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday night that NATO and the United States’ presence in Afghanistan over the past 18 years has not only helped fight terrorist groups but it has also provided security in order to support Afghans to create the conditions for social and economic development.

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said in response to a planned meeting between the Taliban’s negotiating team and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan – scheduled for February 18 – that Islamabad is merely trying to convey the message that the Taliban are not based in Pakistan.