Afghanistan: President Ghani Delegation Hopeful of Islamabad Visit

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The Afghan delegation to accompany President Ashraf Ghani in his visit to Pakistan have expressed optimism about the Islamabad visit, believing they will achieve Pakistan's honest commitments in bringing peace to Afghanistan.

Pakistan's sincerity to Afghanistan's peace efforts is at the top of the agenda to be discussed with the neighboring country, said the delegation who will visit Islamabad on Friday.

These statements are expressed as Pakistan has been accused several times of not contributing honestly to Afghanistan's peace efforts.

But now the new Afghan President is hopeful of a positive outcome of his first visit to Pakistan, a country which has been accused globally of supporting insurgency.

"As far as I know, peace and security issues are at the top of our agenda," said Nematullah Ghafari, a delegation member. Alongside the security issues, the officials of the two countries are said to also discuss economic and transit matters.

"Economic matters are also part of these dialogues," another delegation member Sayed Farukh Shah said. "As long as Afghanistan does not reach economic and political stability, Pakistan will continue to interfere in our internal affairs."

According to analysts, Pakistan can play a vital role in Afghanistan's peace and stability, however, on several accounts Islamabad's role has been doubtful.

Former President Hamid Karzai during his 13 years of rule travelled to Pakistan several times but failed to persuade Pakistan to stop backing insurgent groups in Afghanistan.