National News

ASHGABAT (Turkmenistan), (MILLAT+APP): Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment
to the efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
During a meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on
the sidelines of Global Conference on Sustainable Transport,
the Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s keen desire for
deepening engagement with Afghanistan.
He also stressed on the need for enhancing bilateral
political interaction, security coordination, trade and
transit,connectivity and people to people exchanges.
The two leaders had a cordial exchange of views
regarding efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan
and strengthening of relations between the two countries.
Emphasizing upon the politically negotiated settlement
through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process as the
most viable option for lasting peace in Afghanistan, the Prime
Minister said Pakistan would continue its serious efforts for
facilitating the peace process, including the Quadrilateral
Coordination Group (QCG).
He appreciated Afghan Government’s efforts for peace
and stability in Afghanistan and expressed support to the
peace agreement between Afghan Government and Hizb-e-Islami
Afghanistan.
The two leaders discussed the need of cooperation to
combat the scourge of terrorism, which was a common enemy
and a serious challenge to peace in both countries, and
the region, said a statement of the Foreign Office.
The Prime Minister said the elimination of this menace
required effective coordination between security, intelligence
and counter-terrorism institutions of the two countries.
Discussing the importance of economic development for
peace and stability in Afghanistan, President Ghani thanked
the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s new development package of
$ 500 million announced at Brussels last month.
The Prime Minister suggested that the focus should be
on promoting connectivity to stimulate economic development,
for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.
The two leaders also agreed on the need for continued
engagement in other areas, including coordination for smooth,
safe and dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees and their
sustainable reintegration in Afghanistan.
President Ghani thanked Pakistan for hosting millions of
Afghan refugees for more than three decades.