ISLAMABAD, 24 FEB (DNA) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its brotherly ties with Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister stated this during meeting with Abdul Raouf Ibrahimi, Speaker of Wolesi Jirga of Afghanistanin, in Islamabad.

The Afghan Delegation included Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan Dr. Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal, and Members of the Afghan Parliament. Speaker National Assembly Sardar Muhammad Ayaz Sadiq and Member National Assembly Mr. Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao were also present during the meeting.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its brotherly ties with Afghanistan. While highlighting Pakistan’s vital stake in peace, stability and development in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said that he has a vision of comprehensive and enduring partnership with Afghanistan that contributes to the security and prosperity of our two nations and reinforces efforts for peace and development in the region.

Recalling President Ashraf Ghani’s visit to Pakistan in December last year, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan’s focus is on enhancement in mutual trust that paves way for deeper engagement in diverse areas of cooperation including security and counterterrorism, peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and trade and economic development to the benefit of both the countries.

Pakistan believes that terrorism is a common enemy and Pakistan and Afghanistan need to work together to rid the two countries of this menace, the Prime Minister emphasized. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif expressed his hope that Pakistan’s engagement in sincere and consistent efforts for promoting peace and reconciliation through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process would bring lasting peace in Afghanistan.

The Quadrilateral Coordination Group has been making good progress in right direction, the Prime Minister noted with satisfaction. The Prime Minister said that the decision of talks between Afghan government and Taliban is a positive signal for the peace process. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that Afghanistan must have an environment where Afghan migrants return back to their country with respect, honor and dignity on the right time.

The Prime Minister offered help to Afghanistan in its infrastructure development. The speaker stated that Pakistan was the only nation which supported Afghanistan against external aggression in 1979. We appreciate and applaud the role of Pakistani nation for hosting Afghan migrants for 30 years despite difficulties.

They have hosted their Afghan brothers in an affectionate and caring manner. Pakistan is second home for its Afghan brothers and we must remain stead fast friends in every situation, added the speaker. The speaker said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s stand is very clear and his policy and vision is appreciable towards peace process. The Speaker said that friends of Afghanistan are friends of Pakistan and enemies of Afghanistan are enemies of Pakistan. Meanwhile, Indian high commissioner Mr. Gautam Bambawale called on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at PM House.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif extended a very warm welcome to the newly appointed Indian high commissioner and expressed confidence that Mr. Gautam Bambawale will work to bring the two countries closer.

The Prime Minister said its Pakistan’s policy to pursue good relations with all its neighbors including India and mutual cooperation between the two states can lead two numerous benefits in socio economic uplift of both the countries.

The Indian High Commissioner thanked the Prime Minister and expressed hope that his role would be beneficial in normalization and strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries. DNA