Afghanistan happy over return of democracy to Pakistan: Karzai

SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Egypt): President Hamid Karzai on Sunday said that he has full confidence in the government of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani as democracy is an asset not only for Pakistan but also for Afghanistan. The people of Afghanistan are happy over restoration of democracy in Pakistan, Afghan President Karzai said in a meeting here with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of World Economic Forum.
He expressed his gratitude for the help and assistance extended by Pakistan for the reconstruction of Afghanistan particularly in education sector and for looking after Afghan refugees.
Karzai recalled his meeting with Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and said economic empowerment of women in Pakistan and Afghanistan would be a real tribute to the memory of Pakistani leader who fought for the rights of women.
Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan has a vital stake in Afghanistan emerging as a strong and stable neighbour to ensure peace and security not only within Afghanistan itself but also in the entire region.
“Stability in Afghanistan is the best guarantee of peace not only in our neighbourhood but also across the world,” he said.
Pakistan as a neighbour and a brotherly Islamic country of Afghanistan is committed to promoting peace in Afghanistan through increased cooperation and coordination including diplomatic, political, economic, defence and security fields, the Prime Minister said.
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan is not an aid giving country but will continue to extend all possible assistance to the brotherly people of Afghanistan as the two countries are bound by links of faith, history, geography, culture and heritage.
The Prime Minister said the world needs to do more to accelerate the ongoing process of socio economic development in Afghanistan by addressing the root causes of terrorism at economic, political and social levels, reports APP’s special correspondent Shahid Saleem Khan.
Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan will proactively participate in the forthcoming Paris conference on Afghanistan scheduled for June 12. He also called for early hosting of the 3rd Regional Economic Cooperation Conference.
He said Pakistan like Afghanistan is a victim of terrorism and both countries have a shared objective of fighting terrorism.
He said Pakistan is serious in its commitment to fight terrorism and will never negotiate with militants.
However, he said, the doors are open for dialogue with those who have laid down arms and returned to the mainstream political activity.
He said Pakistan is also taking all possible measures to interdict cross border infiltration in both directions.
The Prime Minister said there is an urgent need for the world community to take steps for the elimination of drugs and poppy cultivation which funds terrorism.
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said we are committed to security cooperation under the framework of Tripartite Commission.
He said Pakistan wants orderly repatriation of Afghan refugees in honour and safety. He said international community should increase assistance for the return of these refugees.
Pakistan, he said is totally committed to Afghanistan becoming a prosperous and peaceful polity as we have no doubt in our minds that without stability returning to Afghanistan, peace will continue to elude the region and all avenues of economic cooperation between South Asia, Central Asia and South West Asia will stay blocked.
The Prime Minister said the two countries have a tremendous trade potential but at the moment bilateral trade volume is less than one billion dollars which is far below the potential and this need to be addressed.
President Karzai invited Prime Minister Gilani to visit Afghanistan and address the parliament there.
Prime Minister Gilani was assisted by Advisor on Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Shahnaz Wazir Ali.
President Karzai was assisted by his foreign minister and security advisor.