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PM Nawaz Sharif pledges support for Afghan peace process
KABUL: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai here on Saturday in his first visit to Afghanistan since he took office in May.
Prime Minister Sharif held a meeting with President Karzai in which the Afghan peace process, Nato troop withdrawal and bilateral issues were discussed.
During a news conference following the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif stressed that a stable and peaceful Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan. He said that Afghanistan was at an important juncture in its history in reference to the Nato troop withdrawal and peace process in the country.
"The key to sustainable peace in Afghanistan in 2014 and beyond is an inclusive political settlement," Sharif said. "I urge all the stakeholders to seize this moment and join hands to support peace efforts."
"Pakistan will continue to extend all possible facilitation for the Afghan peace process."
The prime minister said the Afghan government would decide on US bases in the country and repeated that his government had released former Taliban number two Mullah Barader. “Pakistan will ensure that meetings between Afghan officials and Mullah Omar are held in accordance with guidelines provided by President Karzai.”
President Karzai said he wanted to see terrorism eliminated from Pakistan and Afghanistan. “There is no doubt that since (Sharif) has taken office…cooperation and relations with Afghanistan has expanded.”
“Today we talked on how to proceed with the peace process, the American role in the peace process, and how America, Pakistan and Afghanistan can jointly operate,” he added without giving any further details.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif was given guard of honor as he reached the Presidential Palace to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Prime Minister Sharif was accompanied by his Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Secretary Foreign Affairs Jalil Abbas Jilani and other officials. Member National Assembly and Chairman Pakhtunkhawa Milli Awami Party Mahmood Khan Achakzai was also part of the prime minister’s delegation.
Courtesy www.geo.tv