Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan is committed to play a facilitator’s role in the Afghan reconciliation process, aimed at restoring peace, stability and prosperity in the region. The prime minister was talking to Ric Smith, the Australian Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who called on the former here at the PM’s House on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Gilani urged the international community to assist Afghanistan and Pakistan in achieving this objective by initiating mega infrastructure, energy and communication projects to facilitate connectivity between the two countries and the region beyond. He said Pakistan is looking to extend the Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) to Central Asia.
Terming Pakistan’s cordial relations with Australia as important, the premier called for enhanced contacts, high level visits and parliamentary exchanges between the two countries. He said it was important that both countries looked beyond the war on terror (and restoration of peace in Afghanistan) for smooth and consistent bilateral relations.
Pakistan, he said, is keen to cooperate with Australia in multi-faceted fields including social, defence and agriculture. He expressed gratitude for the Australian support in the aftermath of earthquake and floods, which had jolted Pakistan.
Responding to a formal invitation from the prime minister of Australia to attend the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government’s Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth in October, the prime minister asked the special envoy to thank the Prime Minister Julia Gillard on his behalf. Furthermore, he said that he was looking forward to his visit to Perth.
Ric Smith, who had come to Islamabad after his visit to Kabul, congratulated the prime minister for his role in improving the Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations during his government’s tenure. He shared his assessment of the present situation in Afghanistan with the prime minister and discussed the reconciliation process and planned withdrawal of ISAF forces from Afghanistan.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s stand that military was not the solution, adding that all sides should seek a political solution with emphasis on socio-economic development in Afghanistan.
Ric felicitated the prime minister for his aim of promoting cordial ties with India and for his efforts to resume dialogue with Pakistan’s eastern neighbour.
The Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Tim George, Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan Paul Foley, Minister for Interior Senator Rehman Malik, Secretary Defence and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.
Smith was on his third visit to Pakistan in the past two years. Earlier this week, he had visited Afghanistan for the International Contact Group on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Smith said Australia had been a close friend to Pakistan since 1947 and expressed the desire to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation, including key shared interests in combating terrorism and extremist violence.
Smith has been Australia’s Special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan since April 2009. As Special Envoy, Smith has played a key role in advising the Australian Government and enhancing Australia’s engagement with Pakistan.
