ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan Tuesday agreed to redouble the efforts for greater economic integration and cooperation between the two countries.
Afghanistan's Ambassador in Pakistan Janan Mosazai called on Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal and discussed the bilateral cooperation in economy and education, said a ministry press release.
Talikng to the Afghan ambassador, Ahsan Iqbal said the top leadership of Pakistan and Afghanistan were fully committed to take the bilateral relationship to new heights by making the region cradle of peace and stability.
There was strong commitment and desire on both sides for special relationship in economic cooperation as well as on security and political issues, he added.
The minister said the vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was very clear that zero conflict policy and peace and stability were key for economic development.
He said civil and military leadership (in Pakistan) were on the same page that a peaceful neighbourhood was essential for peace and stability in Pakistan.
Pakistan and Afghanistan should join hands to defeat the designs of those forces, which want to disrupt the peace in the region by showing the resolve that no untoward incident will create any dent in bilateral relations rather it will cement them, he added.
The minister said Pakistan was the biggest beneficiary of complete peace and harmony in Afghanistan and was supportive of all efforts being taken to achieve this goal.
The minister said now the time had come that both countries should take the bilateral relationship to geo-economic orbit from geo-strategic cooperation.
About greater economic integration between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Ahsan Iqbal stated, "Vision-2025 lays strong emphasis on regional connectivity.
"Pakistan wants greater regional cooperation because it will benefit the entire region," he said, adding that Peshawar-Kabul Motorway would further regional connectivity. The pace of work on it would be accelerated, he assured the envoy.
The motorway, the minister said, would trigger of socioeconomic revolution in the bordering areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Afghan Ambassador said the Vision-2025 would promote regional connectivity and also appreciated the scholarship scheme of Pakistan government for Afghan students.
He emphasized upon the need to take the bilateral relationship to strategic levels to achieve the tangible results in the areas of economy, political and security.
Ahsan Iqbal observed that the scholarship scheme for Afghan students was building bridges between two countries.
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