In a statement during a meeting held on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summits in Ufa, Russia, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani Friday expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the July 7 meeting between the Afghan government and Afghan Taliban to promote peace and reconciliation process.
During the meeting, PM Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to build a positive and forward-looking relationship with Afghanistan while President Ghani appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and role in facilitating peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and expressed the hope that this would lead to lasting peace and stability in the country.
Moreover, the two leaders exchanged views on how to carry forward the peace process. They also exchanged views on the efforts being made by the respective sides to counter terrorism and extremism. Both the leaders also reviewed economic cooperation to achieve the shared objectives of peace, prosperity and development.
On the occasion, the prime minister extended an invitation to the Afghan president to jointly inaugurate with him the ministerial conference of the Heart of Asia process to be hosted by Pakistan in December 2015.
Adviser to PM on National Security Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry from the Pakistani side and Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani and National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar from the Afghan side were also present in the meeting.