PM Aziz stresses on deepening Pakistan-Afghan security Ties
'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Friday said Pakistan and Afghanistan have a deep rooted relationship based on shared history, culture, common faith and economic interdependence and Pakistan wants to further strengthen the economic and trade ties with the neighbour for which there is a great potential.

Talking to a media delegation from Afghanistan the Prime Minister said Pakistan has been consistently supporting Afghanistan in its reconstruction efforts and to achieve peace, stability and prosperity.

A strong, stable and vibrant Afghanistan is as much in Pakistan's interest as it is for the Afghans, the Prime Minister said.

"The events in Afghanistan have a spill over effect on Pakistan and we will continue our support for peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan to maintain regional stability," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan was playing a stabilizing role in a region facing many challenges. It has been moving towards promoting mutually beneficial economic linkages across the region to create inter- dependencies and a win-win situation for all.

He said Pakistan which is located at the confluence of three volatile yet vital regions of the world-- South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia -- and provides the shortest access to the sea for all landlocked countries of Central Asia, Afghanistan and Western China.

The Prime Minister said that while Pakistan has maintained friendly relations with Karzai government in Afghanistan, and provided diplomatic, political and financial support to it, some elements have been working to create tension and misunderstanding between the two countries.

These forces want to destabilize Afghanistan. They are also using the media to create misunderstandings between the two countries. He said the Afghan government and people should be aware of this and watch and counter such forces collectively with Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan is against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and is determined to fight against terrorism out of conviction as it is in its national interest.

"Terrorism knows no borders. It needs to be uprooted through collective efforts and at the same time the root causes of terrorism must be resolved," the Prime Minister said.

Answering a question the Prime Minister said Pakistan has taken a number of steps to stop illegal infiltration on Pak-Afghan border.

To increase communication level between the two countries, it has been decided that Foreign Secretaries of the two countries should meet once every three months.

However, he said that security forces of the two sides need to have a continuous link to avoid any communication gap.

Answering another question, the Prime Minister mentioned the initiatives taken by Pakistan to streamline and facilitate Afghan Transit Trade. He said to facilitate trade latest terminals are being established at the border points.

Pakistan wants to construct train track up to Spin Baldak and Kandhar, he added.●