(Kabul) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai 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. 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”.
