News
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Pakistan values relations with Afghanistan: Naek
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan attaches great importance to strengthening friendship and close collaboration with Afghanistan and support its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, Senate Chairman Farooq H Naek said on Wednesday.
He said this while talking to a visiting Afghan parliamentary delegation at the Parliament House. Since the present democratic government has come to power significant progress has been made to strengthen the bilateral relationship, Naek added.
Terrorism was a common threat for both the countries and Pakistan was against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, he said. “We are the biggest victims of terrorism, we lost a great leader, Benazir Bhutto, because of terrorists. We have also lost thousands of innocent civilians and valiant personnel of the armed forces. Terrorism has badly affected our economy and day to day lives, it is a common threat that requires a common response,” he added. “Peace, security and stability in Afghanistan has a vital link with peace and tranquillity in Pakistan, and an independent, peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in the interest of the country and the world,” the chairman further said.
He called upon the government of Afghanistan to join hands with Pakistan to eliminate terrorism, not just in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but also from the entire world to bring in an era of peace, security and stability.
Sayed Ishaq Gailani, leader of the Afghan delegation, while reciprocating the gesture, said they were pleased to visit Pakistan, and pay a visit to the Senate.
While expressing their strong desire and commitment to further enhance the brotherly relations with Pakistan, the members of the delegation said that both countries were brothers and neighbours, and Afghanistan would make all possible efforts to further enhance the brotherly relations between the two countries. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk