ISLAMABAD - Pakistan will continue to extend all possible support to Afghanistan in its journey towards peace and socio-economic development, President Asif Ali Zardari has promised.

At a meeting an Afghan High Peace Council (HPC) delegation here on Tuesday night, Zardari said a peaceful, stable and economically developed Afghanistan was vital to Pakistan's stability and prosperity.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, his spokesman Farhatullah Babar said Islamabad was convinced that an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation drive was the most viable way of ensure lasting stability in that country.

Led by HPC Chairman Salahuddin Rabbani, the visiting delegation included Afghan Ambassador Muhammad Umar Daudzai, President Karzai's advisor Muhammad Masoom Stanikzai and council members Qayamuddin Kashaf, Din Mohammad Azizullah, Pir Mohammad Tanai, Fazel Karim Aimaq, S. Noorullah, Hawa Alam Nuristani, Najia Zewari, Muhammad Akbari, Mohammad Anwar, Abdul Hamid Mubarez and Mohammad Qaseem Ludin.

From the Pakistan side, the meeting was attended by Defence Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Farhatullah Babar, ISI Director-General Zaheerul Islam, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani and Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq Khan.

Peace process in Afghanistan, regional situation and Pak- afghan bilateral relations were discussed during the meeting.

Zardari hoped Rabbani's visit would pave the way for further enhancing closer relations between the two countries. He called terrorism a common threat to the neighbours and urged joint efforts for eliminating the scourge.
Babar quoted Zardari as stressing the need for increased coordination between the two countries to stop incidents of cross-border shelling. (Pajhwok)