PM Nawaz arrives in Kabul for day-long visit

KABUL: Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif Saturday arrived here on a day-long visit to Afghanistan, at the invitation of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to discuss regional situation.

Prior to departure from Islamabad, the prime minister said that the peace in the region hinges on the peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.

Nawaz Sharif said that Afghanistan was a brotherly neighbouring country with which Pakistan would like to establish best of its relations by extending all out co-operation in the ongoing Afghan efforts relating to the successful completion of reconciliation process ensuring peace in the region.

Earlier, foreign office spokesman, Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry giving details said earlier, President Hamid Karzai had visited Pakistan on August 26-27, this year at the invitation of the Prime Minister.

He said the two leaders also met at the Trilateral Summit in London on October 29, 2013. The Prime Minister’s visit is taking place at a time when important political and security transitions are underway in Afghanistan, marked by forthcoming elections and NATO/ISAF troop draw-down during 2014.

The Foreign Office spokesman said as part of his vision of a peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has stressed the importance of close, cooperative relations with all of Pakistan’s neighbours.

He said the Prime Minister’s visit to Afghanistan reinforces efforts in that direction.

The two leaders will hold in-depth consultations on all issues of common interest, including the evolving situation in the region and ways to further deepen and broaden Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations in all dimensions.

The Spokesman said the Prime Minister will also meet a delegation of Afghanistan’s High Peace Council, led by its Chairman Salahuddin Rabbani.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are bound in an abiding relationship, based on common faith, ties of kinship, and shared culture and history. The two countries have faced common challenges in the past and stood by each other in times of need.

Pakistan continues to host millions of Afghan refugees. He said peace and stability in Afghanistan are in Pakistan’s vital interest.

He said Pakistan has extended consistent support for the promotion of Afghan peace and reconciliation process and remains committed to working with Afghanistan as well as international partners for sustainable peace and development in Afghanistan.

On the bilateral plane, the Prime Minister has emphasized that Pakistan-Afghanistan relations should be underpinned by a strong trade and economic partnership.