In a meeting with Afghanistan Ambassador to Pakistan Janan Mosazai who called on him in Islamabad on Monday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed hope that peace talks in Afghanistan would reach a successful conclusion soon.
The relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been undergoing qualitative transformation since the new government took over last year, the prime minister said, adding that Pakistan stands with its neighbouring country in the hour of need. He said he was “deeply troubled” after hearing about the devastating avalanches that hit Afghanistan.
“Pakistan would be happy to provide any further assistance that the people of Afghanistan might be in need of to meet this challenging situation,” he said.
PM Sharif expressed satisfaction over the increased security cooperation between the two countries and said the visits of army chief have proved quite helpful in streamlining important matters.
Moreover, the prime minister approved appointment of a focal person for following up implementation on the decisions taken during inter-ministerial meeting between the two countries, on a daily basis. A similar focal person would be appointed from the Afghan side as well.
He was pleased to note that first meeting of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Business Council would be taking place in the next few weeks to attract international investors to both the countries.
The ambassador thanked the government of Pakistan for providing generous support to Afghanistan in the form of relief supplies in the wake of the destruction caused by recent avalanches. He also thanked the prime minister for sending a message of solidarity to the president of Afghanistan in this hour of grief.
The ambassador said Afghanistan is highly appreciative of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s vision of peaceful coexistence with all neighbouring countries. He informed the prime minister that there is a strong domestic consensus in Afghanistan on peace efforts these days.
Matters relating to Afghan Transit Trade and CASA 1000 power transmission project also came under discussion during the meeting.