Pakistan will extend support to any party that comes to power in Afghanistan, says PM

(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said there is fear that India could use Afghanistan's soil for spreading anarchy in Pakistan.

Addressing the inaugural session of Pakistan-Afghanistan Trade and Investment Forum 2020 in Islamabad on Monday, he said there is a long history of ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He said Pakistan faced immense losses and was worst-affected after waging war against terrorism. He added Pakistan will extend support to any government which will come into power in Afghanistan.

The PM said that Pakistan wants to see Afghanistan as a terrorism-free country. He pointed out that resolution of Afghan conflict will not only benefit Afghanistan but the entire region.

"It is unfortunate that Afghanistan is in grip of terrorism since last 40 years." Imran mentioned that interference from outside never succeeded in Afghanistan.

The prime minister said, "No one can impact the view of the people of Afghanistan by imposing external pressure."

He said that there is need to bring the business community up. "Trade and industries are important for development of the country," he stated.

"Pakistan will do all that is required to boost its trade," he remarked.

Speaking on the occasion, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser said that there is need for closer links between the business community of both countries to help expand possibilities of trade and commerce.

These links can be strengthened through people to people contacts, exchange of parliamentary delegations and close links between political leadership, he stated. He added that Pakistan wants to improve its relations with the brotherly country of Afghanistan in all spheres of economic activity.

Qaiser maintained that facilitating the traders' community will help alleviate poverty. He said Pakistan will continue to play its role in Afghan peace process.