Pakistan to help Afghan reconciliation efforts, Nawaz tells Karzai

MURREE: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai held a one-on-one meeting again here on Tuesday and discussed matters of bilateral interest.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi were also present in the meeting.

The meeting discussed regional security situation besides other issues including ways to curb terrorism and further improve Pak-Afghan relations to bring stability and peace to the region.

Pakistan has made it clear on various occasions that a stable‚ strong and peaceful Afghanistan is in its interest as stability of the region and progress of Pakistan is linked with peace in that country.

Both the dignitaries also discussed border situation and possible cooperation in war against terrorism.

The Afghan President requested Pakistan Government to assist in ongoing reconciliation process in Afghanistan to bring peace and stability in the country.

It is pertinent to mention that the Afghan President extended his visit for a day on the request of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Later, Afghan delegation also attended a luncheon hosted by the Prime Minister in the honour of President Hamid Karzai.