ISLAMABAD - Claiming that the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation in Waziristan has dismantled terrorist networks, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated a stable and peaceful Afghanistan was in his country’s larger interest.

Sharif, who met a delegation of Afghan lawmakers in Islamabad, said the neighbouring countries were committed to not allowing their soils to be used against each other, except for progressing towards prosperity.

Both the countries, he said, needed to bolster bilateral cooperation on political, economic, trade and security fronts. He said the offensive in North Waziristan near the Afghan border had dismantled terrorist networks and their infrastructure.

Advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, special assistant on foreign affairs Tariq Fatemi, political secretary to the prime minister Dr. Asif Kirmani, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Senator Afrasiab Khattak and member National Assembly Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao were present at the meeting.

During the meeting, Afghan lawmakers condemned the attack on a school in Peshawar. They said peace and stability was in larger interests of both the countries.

The lawmakers also invited Sharif to visit Afghanistan at his convenience. The Afghan delegation was jointly led by Chairman International Affairs Commission of the Wolesi Jirga Abdul Qader Zazai and Senator Baz Mohammad Zormati.

The delegation is in Islamabad to attend the 12th session of the Dialogue between parliamentarians of both the countries. (Pajhwok)