Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that terrorism was a common enemy of both Pakistan and Afghanistan and the two countries needed to work together to get rid of the menace.
He was talking to Wolesi Jirga of Afghanistan Speaker Abdul Raouf Ibrahimi, who called on him heading an Afghan delegation at the Prime Minister’s House.
The prime minister said that Pakistan attached great importance to its brotherly ties with Afghanistan. Highlighting Pakistan’s vital stake in peace, stability and development in Afghanistan, he said that he had a vision of a comprehensive and enduring partnership with Afghanistan, which contributed to the security and prosperity of the two nations and reinforced efforts for peace and development in the region.
Recalling Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s visit to Pakistan in December last year, he said that Pakistan’s focus was on enhancement in mutual trust which paved the way for a deeper engagement in diverse areas of cooperation, including security and counterterrorism and trade and economic development for the benefit of the two countries.
Pakistan, he said, believed that terrorism was a common enemy and the two countries needed to work together to rid the country of that menace.
Nawaz expressed the hope that Pakistan’s engagement in sincere and consistent efforts for promoting peace and reconciliation through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process would bring lasting peace in Afghanistan. The Quadrilateral Coordination Group had been making good progress in the right direction, he noted with satisfaction.
The prime minister said that the decision of talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban was a positive signal for the peace process. Afghanistan must have an environment where Afghan migrants return to their home country with respect, honour and dignity on the right time.
He offered help to Afghanistan in its infrastructure development.
The Afghan speaker said that Pakistan was the only nation which supported Afghanistan against external aggression in 1979. “We appreciate and applaud the role of the Pakistani nation for hosting Afghan migrants for 30 years despite difficulties. They have hosted their Afghan brothers in an affectionate and caring manner. Pakistan is the second home for its Afghan brothers and we must remain steadfast friends in every situation.”
He said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s stand was very clear and his policy and vision towards the peace process was appreciable. The friends of Afghanistan are the friends of Pakistan and enemies of Afghanistan are the enemies of Pakistan, he added.
The Afghan delegation included Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan Dr Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal, and members of the Afghan Parliament. Speaker National Assembly Sardar Muhammad Ayaz Sadiq and Member National Assembly Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao were also present during the meeting.
PAK WANTS GOOD RELATIONS WITH INDIA TOO:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that it was Pakistan’s policy to pursue good relations with all its neighbours, including India.
Mutual cooperation between the two states can lead to numerous benefits in socio-economic uplift of the two countries, he said while talking to new Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House.
The prime minister extended a very warm welcome to the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner and expressed confidence that Gautam Bambawale would work to bring the two countries closer.
The Indian High Commissioner thanked the prime minister and expressed hope that his role would be beneficial in normalising and strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.
