ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan attaches great importance to its brotherly relations with Afghanistan and is ready to help the neighbouring country in its quest for peace and development.

In his meeting with Afghan Minister for Finance Eklil Ahmad Hakimi on Monday, Nawaz expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in the bilateral relations under the leadership of President Ashraf Ghani and stressed that new understanding of brotherly ties between the two countries must be sustained and further strengthened.

While welcoming the minister and members of Afghan delegation, who are here for the 10th Session of Pak-Afghanistan Joint Economic Commission, the premier claimed "Pakistan believes that a peaceful, prosperous and progressive Afghanistan is in the best interest of the country and the region".

Nawaz told the Afghan finance minister that there is great scope for both Afghanistan and Pakistan to boost their bilateral trade and both sides should work strenuously to meet the Trade Volume target of US$ 5 Billion till 2018.

The prime minister also expressed his satisfaction over the resumption of work by Pakistani side on incomplete projects in Afghanistan’s health, education and other sectors and said that "Pakistan would extend all possible support to Afghanistan to accomplish all tasks in infrastructure development and energy sector to consolidate long term bilateral and regional partnership".

Related: Pakistan seeks to revive trade talks with Afghanistan

The Afghan finance minister thanked Nawaz for taking special interest in peace and development of Afghanistan.

He stated that President Ghani shares the Nawaz Sharif's vision of economic development of the region through regional connectivity.

Hakimi lauded the prime minister’s efforts to improve regional connectivity through rail and road links.

Referring to CASA-1000 and other connectivity projects, Mr Hakimi stated that early realization of these projects will provide a win-win situation for all the countries of the region.

Federal Minister for Finance Senator Ishaq Dar, Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Secretary to Prime Minister Fawad Hasan and Foreign Affairs Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry were also present during the meeting.

The Afghan delegation comprised Adviser to Afghan President Homayoun Qaumi and Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan Janan Mosazai.

Opinion: Pak-Afghan economic ties

Air Chief Marshal meets PM

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman called on Nawaz SHarif at PM House and discussed matters relating to internal and external security.

The prime minister appreciated the role of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in eliminating terrorism from Pakistan.

Nawaz said that air force officers have set high standards of professional competence and the force's role in anti-terror war has put extremism and extremists on back foot.

Both the premier and the air chief agreed to uproot terrorism from the country and take operation Zarb-i- Azb to its logical conclusion.

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