KABUL - President Dr. Ashraf GhaniAhmadzai on Sunday urged Pakistan to take practical steps for peace in Afghanistan, saying that mere assurances were not enough to achieve stability.

At a meeting with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz in Kabul, the president underlined the role Islamabad could play in bringing stability to his country.

Bilateral ties, including security and economic cooperation, as well as regional issues came up for discussion at the meeting, a statement from the Presidential Palace said.

“Strengthening peace and security is among our priorities and we won’t allow anyone to make Afghanistan a sanctuary for terrorists,” the president, stressing the need for concrete steps to realise this objective.

Ahmadzai went on to remark: “We should refrain indulging in the blame game and create an atmosphere of confidence.” The new window of opportunity for bilateral cooperation would be fully exploited, he hoped.

Pakistani entrepreneurs had vast investment opportunities in Afghanistan, he said, calling for frequent exchanges of visits to beef up trade links between the neighbours.

The visiting advisor congratulated Ahmadzai on the formation of the national unity government and viewed it as a great chance of boosting all-round cooperation, particularly in the area of trade and economy.

Aziz assured the new Afghan administration of Pakistan’s stout support and delivered Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s invitation to Ahmadzai to visit Pakistan. The visit’s timing and preparations were also discussed. 

The visit is part of Pakistan’s substantive engagement with the new Afghan president. There is a serious desire on both sides for tension-free relations.

At the Kabul International Airport, Aziz was warmly received by his Afghan counterpart Mohammad HanifAtmar, Pakistan Embassy Akhtar Munir Khan told Pajhwok Afghan News.(Pajhwok)