Nawaz, Ghani discuss resumption of Afghan peace process

PARIS, Nov 30 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Monday held discussion on the resumption of peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, with the former offering Pakistan’s good offices to support an Afghan-
owned and Afghan-led peace process.
The two leaders, who met here on the sidelines of 21st UN Climate Change Conference, agreed to work with all those who would enter such a process as legitimate political actors and act along side the Afghan government, against those who refuse to take
the path of peace.
During the meeting, which was held in an atmosphere of warmth
and cordiality, the two leaders held an extensive exchange of views,
focusing mainly on the peace process in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif affirmed his desire to establish a
friendly cooperative relationship with Afghanistan. He stressed that
Pakistan remained committed to working with Afghanistan as an equal
and sovereign state.
Pakistan regarded the National Unity Government as the only
legitimate and democratically-elected partner, he maintained.
The Prime Minister emphasized that peace and stability in
Afghanistan remained his government key goal. Pakistan had
committed to building a long term partnership with its neighbours,
to build a stable Afghanistan, in the interest of the entire region,
he added.
President Ashraf Ghani reciprocated the sentiments of working
with Pakistan to develop peaceful, friendly and cooperative
relations between the two countries.
The Prime Minister briefed the President on the robust
military campaign against all terrorists underway in Pakistan
through the Operation Zarb-e-Azb, including those who use violence
against Afghanistan.
He said that Pakistan and Afghanistan faced a common threat
and assured that Pakistan would take all efforts to tackle the
menace of terrorism, facing the two countries.
The two leaders agreed that economic and trade cooperation
between the two countries was an important area of shared interest.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan was determined to
work with Afghanistan to improve regional economic links and was
ready to take concrete steps to improve such links, to the benefit
of both countries.