Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday decided to further expand their cooperation in all fields especially in trade for better future of the peoples of the two countries and to promote peace and security in the region.
Addressing a joint press conference after holding bilateral talks President Asif Ali Zardari and his Afghan counterpart President Hamid Karzai said they had very fruitful and comprehensive talks and were looking forward to having more cordial relations between the two countries.President Zardari said Pakistan always supported Afghan led reconciliation process and assured that it would continue its cooperation to Afghan leadership in this regard.President Hamid Karzai appreciating the hospitality and generosity extended to the Afghan delegation expressed the hope that the visit would help in practical implementation of the agreements made between the two countries in the recent past to boost economic activities.
President Zardari said, “I assured my brother Karzai that Pakistan is always with Afghanistan and supports the Afghan led peace process.”
He said, “We support people and government of Afghanistan. We support them. We cannot expect peace in the region without peace in Afghanistan.”
Referring to the multiple visits of President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani to Afghanistan, Karzai said frequent interaction between the leadership strengthened the bonds of friendship and promoted common interests.
President Karzai thanked the Pakistani government for providing opportunities to Afghan students to study medical sciences, engineering and other subjects.
To a question, President Zardari said since a democratic government came to power in Pakistan “we never had ups and downs” in relations with Afghanistan.
“We always have goods relations but there are some miscreants who are around everywhere in all forms. If in any form we can help Afghans and Afghans can help us, we will help each other.”
Karzai said ties between the two countries have gone forward step by step with increased interactions.
“I can say with confidence that we have recognition in both countries that we feel each other’s pain and our joys and sorrows are the same.”
“Now we are moving forward with concrete steps,” he said while pointing to various joint projects of the two countries for improvement in fields of infrastructure, education, health and commercial activities.
Karzai mentioned the special gesture of President Zardari when he invited him as the only leader attending the inauguration ceremony after Pakistani leader’s election as the head of state.
To a question, Karzai said protection of the land and people of Afghanistan is the responsibility of its own people.
“America came to Afghanistan in the name of war on terror. We wanted to remove the vestiges of terrorism for the good of us all,” he said adding Afghanistan has to defend and develop itself and build its capacity.
Karzai stressed that Pakistan and Afghanistan are together in defeating terrorism and extremism and bringing stability.
President Zardari said, “war on terror is Pakistan’s own war as enemies are killing our children, brothers and sisters.”
Pakistan needs support of other democracies and with the help of bilateral and multilateral alliances it will promote the cause of regional security and stability, he added.
He further said Afghanistan is not a poor country but it needs time to change and show to the world how it can develop and prosper in a short time.
President Karzai said he is grateful for what Pakistan has done for his country while mentioning Torkham-Jalalabad road which will be turned into a double lane highway.
The two neighbours are putting a particular emphasis on expanding rail and road links which will connect them to the Central Asian region, he added. APP
