ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser said there was a need to prioritise trade and economic links between Pakistan and Afghanistan as immense mutual trade and investment potential existed on both sides.
Qaiser expressed these views while talking to the Afghan Parliament Speaker Mir Rahman Rahmani, who called on him in the Parliament House, Friday evening. The Afghan speaker arrived in Islamabad along with a 17-member Afghan parliamentary delegation on Friday.
Asad Qaiser, while talking to the Afghan speaker, said Pakistan had always desired a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan, which was not only in the interest of Pakistan but also for the entire region. He said parties to the Afghan peace process should seize the opportunity for perpetual peace in the country.
While apprising his Afghan counterpart about the achievements of the Pak-Afghan Parliamentary Friendship Group, Asad Qaiser said tariff barriers and procedural impediments in mutual and Afghan Transit Trade had been removed, facilitation on borders for visitors and trading community had been ensured besides easing visa policy for students, visitors, and patients.
He also pointed out that both countries could achieve economic autarky by utilising their geographical importance. He was confident that parliamentary contacts between both the countries would enhance cooperation and mutual trade.
Qaiser said the Pak-Afghan Trade and Investment Seminar being held on 26-27 Oct would pave the way for enhanced economic activities. Mir Rahman Rahmani lauded Speaker Asad Qaiser's efforts to enhance bilateral trade especially focusing on the issues of transit trade and opening new trade routes on Pak-Afghan border.
He said Afghanistan valued highly its ties with Pakistan, since people on both sides of the border were tied in eternal bonds of religion, culture, and ethnicity.
He appreciated efforts of Speaker Asad Qaiser to harmonized relations between both the nations. He said that parliamentary contacts would bring both the nations further closer. He also pointed that Afghanistan had vast potential of investment and trade opportunities and trading community was looking forward for investment in Pakistan. He expressed his confidence about the success of the peace process. He said that peace would usher in an era of progress and stability in Afghanistan.
Earlier, Mir Rahman Rahmani planted a sapling in front the parliamentary building to symbolise that the relations between both countries would grow like ever green and fruitful tree. Later on, he also inscribed his comments in the guest book of the National Assembly of Pakistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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