PM Nawaz urges stakeholders to remain committed to Afghan peace process

Published November 30, 2015
Nawaz Sharif in trilateral meeting with David Cameron and Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of COP21 Climate Change Summit. —APP
Nawaz Sharif in trilateral meeting with David Cameron and Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of COP21 Climate Change Summit. —APP

PARIS: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stressed the need for all stakeholders to remain committed to the promotion of peace and stability in Afghanistan, notwithstanding the obstacles and impediments in the pursuit of this objective.

He said this during exchange of views with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron in a tripartite meeting on the sidelines of Climate Conference in Paris.

The prime minister also assured the leaders of Afghanistan and United Kingdom of his government's strong resolve and commitment to ensure that the Pakistani soil is not used for terrorism anywhere.

In this context, he apprised the two leaders of the successes achieved during the course of the past year and half in the military operation Zarb-i-Azb — launched against all militants and terrorists without any discrimination.

Nawaz told the Afghan president that a warm welcome awaits him in Islamabad at the Heart of Asia Meeting on December 8, 2015.

The British prime minister spoke of his great admiration for Nawaz and Ghani and lauded their strong commitment to work closely for the common objective of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He assured both leaders that the UK would remain available with its support and assistance in their common endeavor to promote the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

Earlier, Nawaz said Pakistan wants cordial relations based on bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan.

Talking to President Ghani on the sidelines of World Climate Change Conference in Paris on Monday, he said Pakistan is committed to work with Afghanistan as an equal and sovereign state.

The prime minister said peace and stability in Afghanistan is the key goal and Pakistan is committed to build a long term partnership with its neighbors.

He said a stable Afghanistan is in the best interest of the entire region.

Nawaz vowed to work with Afghanistan to improve regional economic connectivity. He said we are ready to take concrete steps to improve these links for the benefit of the two countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Ghani said Afghanistan also wants to develop peaceful, friendly and cooperative relations with Pakistan.

The two leaders agreed to increase economic and trade cooperation, which is an area of shared interest between both the countries.

They also discussed resumption of peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...