Islamabad, Feb 23 (IANS): Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Monday telephoned Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and discussed the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region.

According to sources, the two also reviewed Pakistan-Afghanistan ties and matters of mutual interest, Geo TV reported.

On Feb 21, President Ghani sought Pakistan´s cooperation as Afghanistan planned to lay the groundwork for peace with Taliban insurgents, the latest sign of improving ties between the two nations.

Afghanistan "appreciates Pakistan´s recent efforts in paving the ground for peace and reconciliation", Ghani said in a statement.

"We welcome the recent position Pakistan has taken in pronouncing Afghanistan’s enemy as Pakistan’s."

He cited two major recent attacks as helping to bring the countries closer together -- one in Yahya Khel in Afghanistan in November that left nearly 50 people dead, and a Taliban massacre at a school in the Pakistan city of Peshawar in December that killed 153, mostly children.