Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Islamabad on Friday on a two-day visit to Pakistan to discus reconciliation efforts in the war-ravaged country, officials said. Pakistan’s Sports Minister, Shaukatullah, received the Afghan president upon his arrival in Islamabad.
It is President Karzai’s second visit to Pakistan in ten months. He last visited Pakistan in September.
Pakistan and Afghanistan will also formally launch a Joint Commission on Reconciliation during President Karzai’s visit, said Omar Daudzai, Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan.
The commission was launched when Prime Minister Gilani traveled to Kabul in April. The commission is tasked to carry forward the reconciliation process following the withdrawal of foreign troops from the insurgency-torn country.
Karzai is accompanied by Chairman of the High Peace Council, Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Interior Minister, Minister for Water and Power, Commerce Minister and other top officials.
Pakistani and Afghan leaders will also formally launch the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement, which was finalized by officials of the two countries in Kabul last month after some amendments. Sources said Pakistan would raise the issue of recent three attacks in Pakistani territories by armed militants from Afghan side. Pakistan has already conveyed its concern over these incursions to the Afghan ambassador in Islamabad, the US and NATO officials.
Karzai arrives in Islamabad
