New beginning: PM happy with ‘qualitative change’ in Afghan ties

Expresses satisfaction over increased cooperation .

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pak-Afghan relations have been witnessing a ‘qualitative change’ since the President Ashraf Ghani-led national unity government took over in Kabul last year. He was speaking to Afghan Ambassador in Islamabad Janan Mosazai, who called on him at the Prime Minister House Monday morning. 

Ambassador Mosazai thanked the Pakistan government for providing generous support to Afghanistan in the wake of the havoc caused by the recent avalanches.  He also thanked the prime minister for sending a message of solidarity to the Afghan president over the loss of many lives in the natural calamity.

Premier Nawaz said Pakistan stood with its brotherly neighbour in this hour of need, adding that he
was deeply troubled to learn about the devastating avalanches in Afghanistan.



Pakistan will be happy to provide further assistance that the people of Afghanistan might be in need of to meet this challenging situation, he said.

He expressed satisfaction over the increased security cooperation between the two countries and said the recent visits of army chief General Raheel Sharif to Kabul have proved quite helpful in streamlining important matters.

The prime minister approved appointment of a focal person for following up on implementation of the decisions taken during an inter-ministerial meeting between the two countries on a daily basis. A similar focal person would be appointed from the Afghan side as well.

Premier Nawaz was pleased to note that the first meeting of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Business Council would be taking place in the next few weeks to attract international investors to both the countries. He further said Pakistan hoped the Afghan peace and reconciliation process would speed up and reach a successful conclusion soon.

Ambassador Mosazai said Afghanistan was highly appreciative of Premier Nawaz Sharif’s vision of peaceful coexistence with all neighbouring countries. “There is a strong domestic consensus in Afghanistan on peace efforts these days,” he added.

Matters relating to Afghan Transit Trade and CASA 1,000 power transmission project also came under discussion during the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2015.