ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Afghanistan Friday decided to hold a conference of religious scholars of the two countries in Kabul in January to seek their help for the peace process, foreign ministers of the two countries said after their talks in Islamabad.
Reaffirming support to Afghan-led, Afghan-driven and Afghan- owned reconciliation process, Pakistani Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, assured her Afghan counterpart, Dr. Zalmay Rassoul, that her country will continue to play the role of a facilitator in the peace process.
"Pakistan will pursue the track which the Afghans choose for itself," she said at a joint press conference.
Hina Rabbani Khar said that both the countries face common challenges of terrorism and narcotics and collective efforts are required to deal with these challenges.
She also handed over draft of a proposed "Strategic Partnership Agreement" to Afghanistan to further build up bilateral relations with the neighboring country.
Answering a question about the strategic partnership agreement, both the foreign ministers expressed the confidence that it will be finalized soon to build stronger bilateral relations.
Later addressing a joint news conference, Hina Rabbani Khar said the visit of Afghan foreign minister marks the initiation of negotiations on the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Hina Rabbani Khar expressed keenness of Pakistan to build strong bilateral relations with Afghanistan on the basis of mutual respect and sovereign equality. "It is Pakistan's strong desire to further strengthen cultural and religious affinities existing between the two neighboring countries."
Referring to the trade potential between Pakistan and Afghanistan, she said the bilateral trade currently stands at 2.5 billion U.S. dollars. There is a great potential to further increase this volume. She hoped that extension of Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement to Tajikistan and then the other central Asian countries will help exploit the strategic position of Afghanistan to enhance regional trade. It will certainly be a win-win situation for both Pakistan and Afghanistan and the region.
Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmay Rassoul said his country will never allow its soil used against Pakistan. Afghanistan will do everything possible to avoid the damage coming from Pakistan. He said shelling into Pakistan from Afghan side has reduced significantly recently and both the countries need to work together to sort out the issues.
He said both the countries need to work together to unlock the potential of honest and result oriented cooperation based on mutual interest and respect. Zalmay Rasool said peace in Afghanistan is a prerequisite for peace and stability in Pakistan and the region. He added that Pakistan has a crucial role to play in the success of reconciliation process.
"We want the Afghan Taliban to return to their homeland and contribute in the peace, progress and development of the country."
The Afghan foreign minister said there is a complete consensus on the peace process in Afghanistan. This is the reason that women have also been part of this process. He said his country is committed to the peace process because the people have suffered greatly in the past many years. He expressed the confidence that the peace process will make forward movement. (Xinhua)