PESHAWAR: Afghan Consul General Mohammad Moeen Mrastial has said that social and cultural relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan will be strengthened in the coming days.

He said that regional peace and political stability were linked to peace in both the brotherly countries. He said that Afghan government wanted a respectable return of the Afghan refugees to their homeland after suffering of decades of ordeals and hardships.

Addressing the Jashn-i-Nauroz at Afghan Consulate here on Wednesday, Mr Mrastial said that the year ahead would bring more good things for both Kabul and Islamabad.

Moeen Mrastial says their govt wants respectful return of refugees

“We enjoy common history, religion, culture and language. How can we live far from each other? We are like body and soul,” he said.

The diplomat said that Afghans had been celebrating Nauroz festival for over 4,000 years as it had remained an occasion of brotherhood, love, mutual respect and happiness in the spring. He said that Nauroz festival helped people to reaffirm their pledge to work in unison for prosperity of their land.

Iranian consul general in Peshawar, Afghan Embassy envoys in Islamabad, representatives of Afghan refugees, ANP leader Jamila Gilani, members of civil society and rights activists attended the function.

Several stalls were set up to showcase Afghan cultural dress, utensils, ornaments, antiques and edibles. A group of Afghan schoolchildren sang national songs and received applause from the audience.

The organisers served dry fruit to the participants as token of hospitality of the Nauroz festival. Attired in traditional Afghan dress, the participants wished celebration of Jashne Nauroz to one another. Also, they shared greetings and good wishes.

Mr Mrastial said that soon after taking charge of his office, he focused his attention on resolving problems of Afghan refugees and students besides improving trade ties and cementing cultural relations between the two countries. He said that he was hopeful of better trade and cultural ties after meeting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, governor, academics and representatives of Afghan refugees and Pakistani officials.

He said he was pleased as Pakistani officials and academics assured him of resolving issues of Afghan refugees and students on priority basis.

“I am confident that the New Year will prove a good omen for Pakhtuns of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Islamabad and Kabul are set to take concrete steps for improving their political relations for bringing permanent peace to the region,” he added.

Later, a Pashto musical concert was conducted in which popular singers including Master Ali Haider, Karan Khan, Izat Gul and Javed Ameeri performed. They sang national songs and Pashto poems glorifying love for Pakhtun land, its glorious traditions and values of brotherhood, hospitality and peace.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2018