Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif on Friday emphasised the need to enhance understanding and cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan asserting that it was essential for maintenance of peace and stability in the region.
Nawaz said this during a dinner that he hosted in the honour of the visiting president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai at Punjab House.
Nawaz praised President Karzai for accepting the invitation to an intimate dinner and characterised it as reflective of the historic linkages and brotherly relations between their two centuries, as well as of their mutual regard and esteem for each other.
The PML-N president informed President Karzai that as a neighbour and brotherly country, Pakistan wished Afghanistan and its people peace and stability, especially as he was convinced that there could be no peace in Pakistan unless stability was achieved in Afghanistan.
He lauded the efforts of President Karzai in promoting reconciliation in his country, which he felt was the only way to achieve peace. He also expressed shock and grief at the assassination of former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was heading the High Peace Council and whose strenuous efforts had already started bearing fruit. He requested that his deep condolences may be conveyed to the family members of the late president.
Thanking Nawaz for the dinner, Karzai spoke of his long association with the former prime minister, who he referred to as a sincere friend and well-wisher of Afghanistan.
He also recalled Nawaz’s past efforts to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan, which was deeply appreciated in his country.
President Karzai extended a cordial invitation Nawaz to visit Kabul which was accepted.