Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif while vowing to rid the country of extremism and terrorism on Monday said there was no room for intolerance.
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During the 10th session of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Economic Commission here yesterday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and his Afghan counterpart Eklil Ahmad Hakimi could only agree on a new framework to complete already agreed upon bilateral economic goals without achieving a breakthrough on border access, the Express Tribune reported.
Brotherly ties are beneficial for both Pakistan and Afghanistan and would serve to enhance peace and security between the two countries.
The finance minister asked for facilitating business to business contacts for boosting bilateral trade. He added that Islamabad would extend all possible support to Kabul to accomplish tasks in infrastructure and energy sectors.
The finance minister said most of the decisions taken during the last JEC session as well as those taken during the visit of Afghan President Dr Ashraf Ghani in November 2014 had been implemented.
Afghanistan allows Pakistani trucks to enter Central Asian states via Afghanistan’s land routes.
Referring to CASA-1000 and other connectivity projects, Hakimi stated that early realization of these projects will provide a win-win situation for all countries of the region.
In Islamabad, the Foreign Ministry spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said the main areas of focus will be bilateral and transit trade, review of the projects carried out with Pakistani grant, capacity building of Afghan institutions and enhancement of cooperation in other areas of mutual interest.
Regarding the regional connectivity, both the sides agreed to expedite work for materializing the projects of Chaman-Spinboldak Rail Link, Peshawar-Jalalabad Rail link and construction of Road and Railway line between Miranshah and Khost.
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He highlighted the need of facilitation for issuance of business visas for promotion of trade between the two countries. “We are very keen that our businessmen and your businessmen grow their businesses and sustain our relations”, added the minister. Regarding the project of Chaman to Spinboldak rail link, he emphasized on relevant authorities of both sides for professional cooperation so that construction of Chaman to Spinboldak section by Pakistani side may synchronize with construction of Kandahar to Spinboldak section by the Afghan side.
