Pakistan reaffirms support to Afghanistan peace process

President Mamnoon Hussain reassured Pakistan’s commitment to enhance bilateral trade in the coming years.

KABUL: President Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for a stable Afghanistan and expressed solidarity with the Afghan people in their pursuit of peace and stability.

Pakistan continued to support and facilitate efforts for an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, he stated in his speech at the Quadrilateral Summit of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan.

“We have consistently emphasised the centrality of a political solution and underscored the need for all Afghans to join the peace talks," he said, adding "We are convinced that the road to sustainable peace in Afghanistan lies only through peaceful dialogue.”

He maintained that Pakistan’s endeavour with Afghanistan was to forge a comprehensive and multi-faceted relationship, marked by a trade and economic partnership.

Hussain reassured Pakistan’s commitment to enhance bilateral trade in the coming years with increased collaboration in the investment, energy and agriculture sectors.

“Pakistan has enhanced its bilateral assistance for reconstruction and rehabilitation in Afghanistan to $500 million.  Our focus is on projects in infrastructure, roads and rails links, health, education and capacity-building,” he said.

The summit was attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, President of Iran Hassan Rouhani and President of Tajikistan Emomalii Rahman.

During the Nawroz celebrations at the summit, Hussain also expressed strong solidarity with the Afghan people. He commented on the message of Nawroz by saying that it is “life in harmony with nature”.

Hussain also took the opportunity to address the ‘common challenges Pakistan faces’.

“Peace and stability is the most important pre-requisite for development. Cooperative approaches to build peace and security are indispensable,” he remarked.