ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz’s visit to Kabul was productive, the foreign office said on Monday.
During his visit, Aziz underscored Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s pledge to strengthen Pakistan’s ties with the Afghan people, a statement issued on Monday by the foreign office says.
“The Adviser stressed that bilateral relations must be underpinned by a strong trade and economic relationship. He further underscored that the two countries must work together to strengthen links with Central Asia, including through trade and mutually-beneficial energy projects, that would reinforce regional cooperation and promote common prosperity,” the statement says.
The statement says “both sides inter alia agreed to hold the next meeting of the Coordinating Authority established under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) as early as possible to address matters related to transit trade”.
“The Afghan side also expressed gratitude on behalf of the Afghan people for hosting millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan over a long time,” the statement adds.
During the visit, Aziz conveyed a formal invitation from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Afghan President Hamid Karzai to visit Pakistan.
Apart from Karzai, Aziz also had separate meetings with Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul and Commerce and Industries Minister Anwarul Haq Ahadi.
The adviser also held a meeting with the Chairman of the High Peace Council (HPC) Salahuddin Rabbani along with an HPC delegation.
