Pakistan is suffering a lot due to terrorism and militancy. One of the major reasons for the prevalent violence and bloodshed are the crises inside Afghanistan which often bleed across the border. Despite suffering a lot, Pakistan sincerely wants peace and stability in Afghanistan. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Chief Of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani have time and again linked the eradication of terrorism with the return of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Recently, high level delegates exchanged visits between Kabul and Islamabad. A couple of weeks back, the Afghan President Hamid Karzai had visited Islamabad where he met with high ranking authorities. Both the sides believe that combating terrorism and militancy is in the interest of both the countries. But recent attacks of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan are damaging the efforts on the part of rulers for the return of peace in the region. PM Yousaf Raza Gilani in a recent statement stated that Pakistan is desirous for return of peace and stability in Afghanistan and determined to extend due support and cooperation to the Afghan government in this respect. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir is also attaching great hopes with the recently constituted joint commission and hopes it will have a concrete positive impact.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are not only neighbouring countries but their people have socio-cultural relations and a combined history. People from both the countries are facing identical issues of terrorism, economic disorder, poverty and illiteracy. It is high time for the leaders of both the countries to work towards sincere trust and faith in each other. Instead of consuming energies and resources in leveling blame against each other, the authorities should work on mutual cooperation and a joint regional strategy. The people from both countries deserve better relations. Enmity and misunderstanding between the neighbouring countries will help no one other than the enemies of peace and prosperity.
–Translated from the original Pashto by Shamim Shahid
