Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to the need for substantive and sustained engagement at multiple levels to advance the shared goals of “peace and stability, economic development, and regional cooperation.”
The understanding was reached during President Mamnoon Hussain’s separate meetings with the newly-elected Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdullah Abdullah in Kabul on Monday, said a statement issued by the foreign ministry.
Mamnoon had travelled to Kabul on a day-long trip to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Afghan leaders after months of political uncertainty.
Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chairman Memhmood Achakzai, Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali and Qaumi Watan Party’s (QWP) chief Aftab Sherpao also attended the inauguration ceremony.
The Foreign Office said during his stay in Kabul, President Mamnoon had a bilateral meeting with Afghan President Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Dr Abdullah. “During these meetings, matters relating to the political transition in Afghanistan, Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, and regional cooperation were discussed,” the statement added.
The president extended best wishes to the national unity government in the accomplishment of its wide-ranging agenda and conveyed Pakistan’s commitment to work closely with the new government for the promotion of common goals. He reaffirmed that peace and stability in Afghanistan were in Pakistan’s vital interest.
Highlighting the vision for a “peaceful neighbourhood”, the president stressed the importance Pakistan attached to friendly and good-neighbourly relations with Afghanistan.
The president particularly emphasised the importance of a deeper economic relationship and enhanced people-to-people exchanges. The Afghan leadership thanked President Mamnoon Hussain for his participation in the swearing-in ceremony. CEO Dr Abdullah also expressed the desire of the
new government to forge a cooperative and forward-looking relationship with Pakistan.
The two sides underscored their mutual desire for a relationship marked by trust and understanding, serving the best interests of the two nations.
Foreign ministry spokesperson said the president’s visit to Kabul on this landmark occasion reinforced Pakistan’s support for peaceful democratic transition in Afghanistan and contributed to further strengthening fraternal ties between the two countries.
Suicide blast kills four
A Taliban suicide attacker killed four civilians and injured two near Kabul airport as Ghani was inaugurated as Afghan president at a ceremony in the city centre.
“We can confirm a suicide bomber on foot detonated near the airport, killing four people and wounding two,” said a spokesman for the police.
The Taliban claimed responsibility via a recognised Twitter account, saying foreign and Afghan soldiers had been targeted.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 30th, 2014.
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That is good beginning. Karzai in his last speech to Afghan nation appreciated Nawaz Sharif & Zardari for wishing to ending terrorism & restore relations with Afghanistan & India. It is time that our civilian govt take control of the foreign policy & work for peace & trade in the region. Ghani has the right credential of world authority on fixing failing states like Afghanistan & Pakistan. In the present soft Kargil operation, Pashtun leadership played very good role by supporting Sharif civilian government to take control of foreign policy. Nawaz can return favour to Peshawar & Quetta by creating jobs for the hundreds of thousand of jobless by having good peaceful trading relations with Kabul not Taliban. There is trading potential of $10 billion which can easily translate into thousands of jobs. Also my Pashtun brothers & sisters should forget about those emotional revolutions & changing everything in 90 days & come back to real world. To keep the suicide bombers away you have to trust in civilian government.