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| Afghanistan |
| Gilani, Karzai pledge to continue war on terror |
| 2010-12-04 |
| KABUL: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday renewed commitment to continue their joint strategy against terrorism and take their cooperation in the economic sector to a higher level. Addressing a press conference after holding bilateral talks at the Arg Palace, the two leaders opined that there was an increasing realisation that their dream of shared prosperity could only be achieved through sustained joint efforts. Gilani said, "Now there is an equal realisation that both the countries are equally suffering because of terrorism and there should be no blame game." Gilani and Karzai first met separately followed by delegation-level talks and held in-depth discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation in the war against terrorism and extremism, and promoting collaboration on economy, trade and investment, building of energy corridors and improving road and rail links. Commerce Minister Amin Faheem, Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and Interior Minister Rehman Malik assisted the prime minister during the talks. Gilani assured Karzai that Pakistan fully supported the reconciliation process with opposition groups to bring them into political mainstream. He said, "Pakistan and Afghanistan realise that instability in one country is not in the benefit of the other and their mutual interest is in pursuing a new path leaving behind the past." The PM said Pakistan's role was vital for achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan and for winning the war against terrorism, for which his country had suffered immensely and thousands of its soldiers had been killed and injured. "The investment climate suffered and there is a flight of capital due to terrorism," he added. Addressing a luncheon at the Presidential Palace, Gilani said Pakistan and Afghanistan should believe in each other and not trust what WikiLeaks was saying. He assured of his government's help for the implementation of the Afghan transit trade agreement that had been approved by the cabinet. Trust deficit: Karzai categorically stated that there was no trust deficit between Pakistan and Afghanistan. "Afghanistan sees Pakistan as a friend and an anchor of stability," he said, acknowledging the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan's security forces and citizens in the war against terrorism. |
| Posted by:tipper |