Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Peace in Afghanistan Key to Regional Stability

Peace in Afghanistan  Key to Regional Stability

KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani on Friday took strong exception to violations of the Durand Line by Pakistan, saying the situation did not serve the interest of either country.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, accompanied by ministers of foreign affairs and interior, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor and the national security advisor, arrived in Kabul on a daylong visit on the invitation of Ghani.
At a meeting with a high-level Pakistani delegation led by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at the Presidential Palace here, Ghani underlined the need for joint counter-terrorism efforts.
Regional connectivity, cooperation on trade and transit and a joint struggle for peace came up for discussion at the meeting, the Presidential Palace said in a statement.
Ghani and Abbasi also exchanged views on bilateral cooperation, the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process, the honorable return of refugees from Pakistan and swapping prisoners.
An end to border violations, regional railroad projects and finalization of a Pakistani action plan for peace and solidarity with Afghanistan were also discussed in detail.
All bilateral concerns should be shared and addressed through formal channels and dialogue. The need for strengthening regional connectivity and energy supply from Central Asia to Pakistan via Afghanistan also figured at the meeting.
The two sides conferred on initiating work on the Quetta-Kandahar and Peshawar-Jalalabad railway lines, as well as the Peshawar-Jalalabad-Kabul highway.
National security advisors and foreign ministry officials of the two countries will finalize the action plan for the exchange of prisoners.
Ghani called stability the key to regional peace, saying decisions by leaders of the two countries could guarantee the security and prosperity of their coming generations.
While welcoming Ghani’s offer of peace talks with the Taliban, the Pakistani premier stressed the Afghan-led reconciliation as the only viable solution to Afghanistan’s problems.
Abbasi also promised Pakistan’s support for the Afghan peace process. He invited President Ghani to visit Pakistan, the statement said. (Pajhwok)