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Published 30 Nov, 2015 09:28pm

PM Nawaz urges stakeholders to remain committed to Afghan peace process

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.

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