ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the first senior officials' meeting of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process that enemies of Afghanistan are enemies of Pakistan.

Aziz said Pakistan will be able to tackle challenges through mutual cooperation, enabling the country to move forward on a path of peace, prosperity and progress.

"Afghanistan holds immense significance for us, not only because we share a common border or ethnic affinity, but also because together we can usher in a new era of regional connectivity and regional cooperation in line with the vision of transformation decade enunciated by President Ashraf Ghani," Aziz said.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, a joint initiative of Afghanistan and Turkey which began in November 2011, aims to provide a platform for the discussion of regional issues, and to encourage security and economic cooperation among Afghanistan and its neighbours.

Read more: Don’t destabilise Afghanistan, PM warns Taliban

The adviser assured Pakistan's firm commitment towards ensuring that Afghanistan's transformation phase becomes a harbinger of regional growth and prosperity, and expressed hope that with a combination of dedication and resourcefulness, the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process would be driven along a productive path.

Earlier in May, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during a day-long visit, to Kabul reaffirmed Pakistan's full support for an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process, acknowledging that Pakistan had the highest stake in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

Following Nawaz's visit, news broke of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Afghan intelligence outfit National Directorate of Security (NDS) having signed an accord for cooperation in counter-terrorism operations.

Read more: ISI, Afghan intelligence in landmark deal