Prime Minister Imran Khan and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, in a joint press stakeout at ARG Presidential Palace in Kabul, reaffirmed their commitment towards taking urgent steps leading to restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Imran, who arrived in the Afghan capital on his maiden visit to the neighbouring country, held talks with President Ghani that focused on deepening of bilateral ties, intra-Afghan peace process and regional economic development.Prime minister assured the Afghan government of Pakistan’s unflinching support and cooperation to end violence in Afghanistan including a ceasefire. 

“Let us know where we can help you. We assure you that we will be there to help reduce slur of violence in your country,” the prime minister assured the Afghan president, as the two spoke before the local and international media.

Imran further expressed concern over the increasing level of violence in Afghanistan and supported the idea of establishment of committees from the two governments to hold mutual discussions.

The premier thanked President Ghani for extending an invitation to visit Afghanistan, expressing confidence that it would lead to further strengthening of ties between the two countries.

He said Pakistan and Afghanistan enjoyed historic links and brotherly relations and recalled that during the era of 70s, Kabul and Peshawar were favourite destinations for the visitors from both sides.

Imran regretted that the people of Afghanistan unfortunately suffered violence for four decades and said Pakistan was most concerned about the situation due to the fallout of situation in its own tribal areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 “My visit at this particular time has a message that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan,” he said.The prime minister said peace and connectivity was the best way to ensure prosperity of Pakistan, Afghanistan and also the entire region.He said close cooperation between the committees from both sides and intelligence agencies would lead towards finding effective solutions for peace and stability.

He said Pakistan played a consistent role in intra-Afghan dialogue and noticed with concern the increasing level of violence despite the Qatar peace deal inked between the United States and Taliban in Doha, Qatar this February.“Now again to build trust, we will help the Afghan government to meet their expectations,” he maintained.

Earlier, President Ashraf Ghani welcomed the Prime Minister, saying the visit was a “step to strengthen faith and cooperation”.“Our common focus will be poverty eradication and empowerment of our countries,” Ghani said.Ashraf Ghani acknowledged that Imran came to Kabul with an “important message to help end violence”.

He said enduring peace within the framework of joint cooperation was important to lead towards a comprehensive ceasefire.’All of us need to understand that violence is not an answer, but an inclusive politics,” he said.With PM Imran Khan’s visit, Ghani said a “foundation of trust was established” to continue the journey towards sustainable peace.

He announced to visit Pakistan in near future on the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan.The Afghan President mentioned that during his meeting with Imran, the two sides agreed that respect for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was in the hearts and minds of every Muslim and stressed that the world must differentiate between the ‘negative comments’ from ‘freedom of expression’.

This is Imran's first visit to Afghanistan since assuming office in 2018. It is the highest profile visit by a Pakistani official to Kabul since peace talks began between the Taliban and the Afghan government in Doha.And it comes days after the Pentagon announced it would reduce the number of US military personnel in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500 by mid-January.

Earlier, upon his arrival, Imran was given a warm reception at the Afghan Presidential Palace.Afghan President Ashraf Ghani received Prime Minister Khan on his arrival at ARG Presidential Palace, situated in the heart of Kabul city.The Prime Minister reviewed the guard of honour presented by a contingent of Afghan forces.

Afghan Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Haneef Atmar and Afghanistan’s Special Representative for Pakistan Umer Daudzai received the prime minister at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

The prime minister’s entourage included Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, PM’s Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Director General Inter Services Intelligence Lt Gen Faiz Hamid, Special Representative for Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq and senior officials.Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan and the embassy officials were present.

‘No military solution’

PM Imran had wide-ranging talks with President Ashraf Ghani to review efforts during the past two years to promote shared objectives of strengthening Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations and achieving lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, said a statement issued by PM office at the conclusion of the visit.

The premier reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to a peaceful, stable, united, democratic, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan.He reiterated his long-standing view that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that a negotiated political settlement was the only way forward for enduring peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Imran called on all sides for taking necessary measures for reduction in violence leading to ceasefire to protect Afghan lives.

Underscoring the importance of an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement, the prime minister underlined that Pakistan will respect the decisions made by Afghans in the peace process. He also cautioned against those who could spoil the peace efforts.

During the visit, Pakistan and Afghanistan also issued a document titled “Shared Vision between Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Support Peace and Stability in Both Countries and the Wider Region.” The Shared Vision is aimed at advancing a forward-looking cooperative partnership between the two countries for political, economic and people-to-people exchanges.The two leaders agreed to constitute committees to pursue security and peace-related matters.

PM Imran expressed satisfaction at increasing high-level leadership exchanges imparting a steady momentum to bilateral cooperation in diverse fields. In this regard, he appreciated that the recent visit of Advisor on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood to Kabul from 16-18 November led to important breakthroughs for commencement of negotiations on Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), progress in revision of APTTA, Customs Assistance Agreement, and understanding to have MoU for cooperation between two Central Banks.

The two leaders also agreed to expedite infrastructure and energy connectivity projects. They also discussed development of new rail-road projects between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The premier extended an invitation to President Ashraf Ghani to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.