Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to work closely for peace, prosperity

KABUL (Afghanistan), Apr 06 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Afghan President Muhammad Ashraf
Ghani Friday re-affirmed their resolve to build mutual trust and confidence by working closely for peace, prosperity and stability in their countries.
The two leaders agreed that Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) provided a useful framework for broad-based and structured engagement on all issues of mutual interest and decided to operationalize the five working groups under it.
Prime Minister of Pakistan who arrived here on daylong visit on the
invitation of President Ghani held one-on-one meeting, followed by
high-level delegation level talks at Afghan Presidential Palace.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and National Security Adviser Nasser Khan Janjua.
They discussed the entire gamut of Pak-Afghan ties including peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, counter-terrorism, return of Afghan refugees, bilateral trade and regional connectivity.
Both the leaders agreed that peace, prosperity and stability of the two countries are interlinked.
They agreed that there was no military solution to the ongoing Afghan conflict and that the political solution was the best way forward.
They called on the Taliban to respond positively to the peace offer and join the peace process without further delay.
Prime Minister Abbasi welcomed Afghan President’s vision for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and his offer of peace talks to Taliban.
The two leaders reiterated that terrorism was a common enemy and
a threat. They agreed not to allow their soils to be used for anti-state
activities against each other.
They re-affirmed their resolve to work together to address all issues
of bilateral transit and trade between the two countries.
They also expressed their firm resolve not to allow politics to affect
their economic relationship which was important for the welfare of the peoples of the two countries.
The two leaders re-affirmed their commitment to regional connectivity as they had done in Herat this year while jointly inaugurating the entry of Tajikistan Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline from Turkmenistan into Afghanistan.
They agreed to hold an early meeting of the Joint Economic Commission to take forward planning and implementation of key rail and road gas pipeline and energy projects that would integrate Pakistan and Afghanistan with the Central Asia.
The two leaders also agreed to move forward on the projects of
Chaman-Kandhar-Herat railway line and Peshawar-Kabul Motorway and other connectivity projects which could help realize the tremendous potential of South and Central Asian regions by providing shortest access through the seaports of Gwadar and Karachi.
They emphasized early completion of TAPI and Central Asia and South Asia (CASA-1000) projects.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan announced a gift of 40,000 tons of
wheat for the Afghan people. He also announced waiver of additional regulatory duty on Afghan export to Pakistan to help lift the Afghan economy.
The two sides also agreed to initiate discussions on consular matters
and exchange of civilian prisoners.
They agreed to continue the exchange of high level visits and Prime
Minister Abbasi extended invitations to President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah to visit Islamabad at his earliest convenience.
The Prime Minister met Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and both leaders discussed the entire range of bilateral matters and agreed on regular leadership contacts.
The Prime Minister also met with senior political leaders including Gulbadin Hekmatyar, Ustad Mohammad Mohaqiq, Ustad Mohammad Karim Khalili, Pir Sayed Hamed Gailani, to convey the support of the Government and people of Pakistan to all ethnic groups in Afghanistan and underscored Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in Afghanistan.