Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to evolve a mechanism for furthering bilateral ties, allaying misperceptions, curbing illegal movement in the border areas, extending the scope of transit trade to the Central Asian states and implementation of all the major projects.
This was resolved by President Asif Ali Zardari and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai at a joint press conference at the Aiwan-e- Sadr Friday after one-on-one and delegation level meetings.
A wide spectrum of issues including Pak-Afghan ties, war against terrorism, security situation in the region, dialogue with Taliban for the sake of peace in Afghanistan, Pak-Afghan transit trade and prevention of illegal movement in border areas figured in the talks.
Briefing the media about the talks with President Karzai, President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan would further improve its ties with Afghanistan. Both the countries have been enjoying good relations since long, he added.
According to President Zardari, misperceptions are everywhere but Pak-Afghan relations have gained more strength during the incumbent government. We will have to bring more improvement in our trust, he stressed.
He went on to say that Central Asian States would be made part of Pak-Afghan transit trade and every possible cooperation would be extended to Afghan government in this respect.
He held Pakistan was fighting war against terrorism for its own sake as the terrorists had targeted children, youths, elder persons and security forces personnel. Government would continue with its efforts till the elimination of terrorism.
Peace in Afghanistan was very critical for peace in the region, he underlined. Peace would remain elusive in the region without peace in Afghanistan, he underscored. Pakistan would continue its support for stable Afghanistan, he held.
He said that Afghanistan was not a poor country, only it needs a chance. We are convinced that after restoration of peace, Afghanistan would make progress and both the countries would cooperate in the areas of infrastructure development, energy and trade.
To a question, President Zardari said that Pakistan would not accept pressure from any side, adding “We know how to defend our borders. The world needs to know that both Afghanistan and Pakistan are working for peace and prosperity.”
Addressing the media, Hamid Karzai said that a large number of Afghan students were studying in Pakistani educational institutions that showed how close the two countries are. He thanked the Government of Pakistan for constructing the “best road” from Torkham to Jalalabad. “Afghanistan, like Pakistan, is taking part in the efforts to eradicate terrorism. We need to make joint efforts on this front which is in the benefit of the peoples of the two coutnries.
To a query he said defending Afghan people and the borders was the sole responsibility of the government of Afghanistan and his government would improve its capacity to do that.
Earlier in the delegation level talks the Afghan side comprised Chairman High Peace Council Bahran ud Din Rabbani, Afghan foreign minister Dr Zalme Rasool, minister for national defence Abdul Rahim Wardik, interior minister Bismillah Muhammadi, Energy Minister Muhammad Ismail Khan, commerce minister Anwar ul Haq Ahdi.
Pakistan side was represented by Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar, interior minister Rehman Malik, commerce minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, finance minister Hafiz Sheikh, minister for water and power Navid Qamar, state minister for foreign affairs, Hina Rabbani Kha and other officials.
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