Abbasi in Kabul to push Afghan peace drive

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi arrived in Kabul on a daylong visit on the invitation of President Ashraf Ghani.

Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Zagar Iqbal Jhagra and National Security Advisor Basser Janjua are accompanying the premierm.

A contingent of the Afghan army presented a guard of honour to the visiting prime minister upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace in Kabul.

On the eve of his trip, Pakistan. Abbasi will discuss the Afghan peace process and the regional situation.

Bilateral trade, return of Afghan refugees and clamping down on the illicit drug commerce are high on the agenda of the prime minister, who will also meet Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah.

The Foreign Office said Pakistan wanted to continue supporting Afghanistan sectors.

Abbasi will also confer with his interlocutors on ways of facilitating travel between the two countries and expanding bilateral trade and transit.

Last month, Ghani proposed a comprehensive agreement with the Taliban, including a ceasefire, release of prisoners, a political role for militant leaders who shun violence.

He urged the Taliban to recognise the Afghan government and respect the rule of law, including the rights of women, one of the priorities for Afghanistan’s international partners.

While throwing its weight behind Ghani’s fresh initiative, Pakistan said it would make an all-out effort to facilitate the peace process and boosting bilateral engagement.

The premier is expected to renew support for Afghanistan’s education, health and infrastructure sectors. He will also offer help for the medical treatment of the conflict-affected Afghans.

To promote regional economic integration, the two countries are participating in key trans-regional initiatives: the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and Central Asia - South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000).

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