ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (APP):Pakistan and Afghanistan have reiterated their commitment to peace and stability of each other and
agreed to work in a cooperative framework for a brighter future and expressed resolve to work together
and enhance cooperation to improve bilateral relations.
“It’s time to build bridges. We have a shared history and shared future. That is what our ancestors left for
us and we have to leave for our children. We should work for our shared interests in all fields including
political, economic and security. We must protect our relationship and advance it further,” said Haneef
Atmar National Security Adviser (NSA) Afghanistan.
The commitment was made during the visit of National Security Adviser Lt.General (R) Nasser Khan
Janjua during his visit to Afghanistan on Saturday on a special invitation from National Security Adviser
(NSA) Afghanistan Haneef Atmar.
His visit was acknowledged by Afghanistan as a great gesture of Pakistan, particularly after the peace
offer made by President Ashraf Ghani, said a news release.
During his visit, the NSA had elaborate and successful meetings with President Ashraf Ghani, Chief
Executive Abdullah Abdullah, his counterpart Haneef Atmar, Minister of Defense and NDS Chief.
Meetings were held in a very congenial, warm and cordial environment.
President Ashraf Ghani associated strong hopes with Pakistan and said, “We have made a sincere
and serious offer of peace and together we have to make the best of it by rising beyond past. Let’s
not remain prisoners of past and lets secure our future with the aim, not to win the war but to end it
for which Pakistan should help”.
He also expressed strong support for regional connectivity with Central Asian Republics (CARS)
to reap the benefits of ideal geo-strategic locations of Afghanistan and Pakistan. ” Without each
other, we are not complete,” he added.
He desired for a roadmap to be prepared for a comprehensive engagement with Pakistan to carry
the relationship further with a leap of faith. Availing the opportunity, he also handed over the letter
of invitation to NSA for the Prime Minister of Pakistan and expected him to visit as soon as
possible.
The NSA thanked the President for extending an invitation to Prime Minister of Pakistan and also
acknowledged the warmth, displayed for him and Pakistan and appreciated the peace offer made
by the President.
He termed the peace offer as a light on the other side of the tunnel in a war which had become
rather perpetual. Seeking the closure of conflict instead of winning it is a righteous approach,
he added.
He expressed deep sympathies with people of Afghanistan who have seen nothing but war since
last 40 years. He also expressed complete support for the peace offer which was long awaited.
“Use of force only injures people; wars are however, virtually won politically” he added. Assuring
of Pakistan’s full support for the vision of peace, he, however, highlighted that isolated, blamed
and coerced Pakistan is of lesser use to Afghanistan.
“The world has started to look at and undermine Pakistan through the prism of Afghanistan which
is not correct. We need to commit to each other and invest in bilateral relationship and Afghanistan
needs to stand with Pakistan and both need to win peace together. Our peace is mutual, let’s
seek it together” he said.
The same sentiments were acknowledged and reciprocated by the Afghan Government. They
also agreed to seize this moment collectively and to improve bilateral relations in pursuit
of the common objectives.