Federal Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani said on Sunday that the government of President Hamid Karzai was losing its popularity in Afghanistan due to its anti-Pakistan statements.| “Pakistanis and Afghans are one people, and their leadership can win public support provided they begin efforts to bring the citizens of both countries closer,” Durrani said. |
The minister said Pakistan did not want to hurt the sentiments of Afghans by responding to Karzai’s statements in the same language. He said the two countries were liked via social, cultural and religious bonds, and anybody who tried to break those bonds would face a public backlash. “Like in the past, we will remain friends in the future,” Durrani said. The minister said there were no disputes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, merely misunderstandings. He said he was planning a visit to Afghanistan with a team of journalists to remove these misunderstandings. He said the freedom of the press in Pakistan had strengthened the government. The government respects democratic institutions and the media, he added.