Pak-Afghan peace jirga

Pak-Afghan peace jirga

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday decided to further extend their cooperation in the fight against terrorism and agreed to work on the common objective of promoting peace, security and prosperity in the region.
According to a joint declaration issued following formal talks held between Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri and his Afghan counterpart Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta in Kabul, it was decided that Pakistan will establish an appropriate mechanism to interact with the Afghan Commission appointed by President Hamid Karzai with a view to promote peace and security in the area.
Both foreign ministers expressed the hope that the process would develop mutual trust and lead both nations, as well as entire region towards security, peace, social and economic prosperity.

Pakistan and Afghanistan also emphasized the need to holding peace jirgas/gatherings (Jirgaha-e-Amnn) that were proposed and agreed during the last trilateral meeting, which took place amongst the presidents of the US, Afghanistan and Pakistan in Washington.
Both sides despite having different system and mechanisms also agreed on the common objective of promoting peace, security and prosperity.
Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri who visited Kabul on December 7 and 8, held talks with Foreign Minister Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta and called on President Hamid Karzai.
The visit was within the proposed Quarterly Meeting Framework, where bilateral subjects, regional economic cooperation and matters related to Afghan refugees were also discussed.
Keeping in view the linkages between Central Asia and South Asia, both the countries agreed to facilitate and cooperate with each other for strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation. Both sides expressed their resolve to continue their efforts to fighting terrorism, to stop the cross-border activities and narcotics.
Addressing a joint press conference with Afghan Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri said both the countries cannot make any headway by blaming each other.
"We have to find the solutions to our problems and for this purpose it is necessary to build trust between the two countries," he added.
Kasuri regretted that if any act of terrorism occurs in Afghanistan, accusation is leveled against Pakistan. "We feel hurt when any accusation is leveled against us," he said.
The foreign minister said the same terrorists are involved in acts of terrorism in Pakistan as well as in Afghanistan.
He called for peace and stability in Afghanistan adding that instability would have negative impact on Pakistan.
Kasuri said there are strong religious, cultural and ethnic ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan and added stable, peaceful and strong Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan.
The FM said, "Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are suffering from terrorism, if there are acts of terrorism or suicide bombings in Afghanistan, the same is happening in Pakistan."
He endorsed the remarks of Afghan foreign minister that linkages between the central and south Asia are not possible without the active cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
To a question, he said, efforts should be made to bring back three million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan with honor to their homeland.
On the issue of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, he said Pakistani leadership had discussed it with the US administration.
Afghan Foreign Minister Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta mentioned Pakistan's efforts in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and measures to bring peace in the region.
Later, talking to newsmen upon his arrival at Chaklala Airbase, after completing his two-day visit to Kabul, Foreign Minister Kasuri said he had a very useful interaction with President Karzai.
Kasuri said during his meeting with President Karzai he also apprised him about the measures taken by Pakistan in curbing terrorism and the agreement signed with the tribals to bring peace to the bordering areas.
About his meeting with Younis Qanooni, President Afghan Lower House, he said the meeting was frank and open and matters of mutual interests came under discussion