KABUL - While congratulating Pakistan's new prime minister Raja Pravez Ashraf, President Hamid Karzai said both nations should jointly combat terrorism -- a bane to Afghanistan and Pakistan -- and work towards prosperity.
Karzai congratulated Ashraf on behalf of the government and Afghans, after he was chosen as the new prime minister on Saturday, said a Presidential Palace statement.

"Terrorism and extremism are common threats for us, so we should jointly struggle against them," Karzai said.
As the two countries face common interests and common threats, we can jointly work together to bring prosperity to the people, Karzai said in his message to the new premier.

Under the leadership of Ashraf, Karzai hoped the counter-terrorism efforts would be accelerated and bilateral ties would also flourish.

Ashraf, 61, took office after his predecessor Yusuf Raza Gilani was disqualified from holding office by Pakistan's Supreme Court after he was convicted for contempt of court, for failing to reopen a graft probe against President Asif Ali Zardari. (Pajhwok)