PM Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz reaffirmed on Friday Pakistan’s support for reconstruction, development and progress of Afghanistan.
“Pakistan is working on a number of cross-border and trans-regional connectivity projects, including infrastructure, energy and promotion of trade and investment,” the prime minister’s top aide remarked during the meeting of sixth Regional Economic Conference on Afghanistan (RECA) in Kabul.
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RECCA has evolved into a dynamic platform, which has done a commendable work in crafting a vision and a roadmap of developmental projects complementing the Afghanistan’s National Development Strategy, Aziz said.
Further, the adviser claimed that Pakistan fully subscribes to the core objectives of RECCA for promoting robust and multi-dimensional development cooperation with Afghanistan.
At the start of his speech, Aziz lauded the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for sharing his vision to make Afghanistan a development and regionally integrated country. “Pakistan fully supports this forward-looking and progressive vision, and the plans for regional connectivity.”
The top Pakistan diplomat apprised the participants of the meeting about the progress of various projects between the two countries. “We have expedited work on rail connectivity projects, including Peshawar-Jalalabad and Chaman-Spinboldak Rail Links between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
Aziz went on to add that Pakistan is working on the feasibility study for Peshawar-Kabul Motorway, saying the country is committed to extend the road networks to Central Asia.
Commenting on the role of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) the adviser suggested that it can play a transformative role not only for Pakistan but for the whole region.
“Once it is implemented, the CPEC would provide a competitive transit route for trade between western China, Central Asia and Afghanistan.”
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The prime minister’s adviser reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to enhance assistance for training of Afghan civil servants including diplomats and police.
“We would also impart training to doctors, paramedical staff, teachers, postal, banking, railways, customs and civil aviation officials,” he said.
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