Hanafi: Afghan soil not to be used against Pakistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghan and Pakistani officials have held productive discussions on issues of mutual interest, including humanitarian aid for the war-battered country.

A delegation led by Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf met top officials of the Islamic Emirate in Kabul on Saturday.

The visiting team met  Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Cooperation in areas of politics, trade, the economy, transit and expansion of bilateral relations came up for discussion, a government official said.

Inamullah Samangani, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, the Pakistani delegates would hold talks with more Taliban officials today (Sunday).

Hanafi assured Moeed Yusuf Afghanistan’s soil would not be used against its neighbours, including Pakistan, statement from the Presidential Palace said:

“The policy of the Islamic Emirate is clear that that we will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against our neighbours and other countries,” Hanafi added.

Attacks by the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have lately spiked in the neighbouring country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

Earlier, the NSA discussed with Hanafi strengthening of relations between the two countries to promote trade, transit and connectivity, Pakistan Ambassador Mansoor Ahmad Khan tweeted.

Hanafi urged Pakistani business leaders and investors to invest in Afghanistan’s energy, mines and agriculture sectors.

The deputy premier called for the implementation of projects like the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline (TAPI), Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan 500-kV Line (TAP-500) project, the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000).

He also underlined Afghanistan’s desire for cordial relations with Pakistan, based on mutual respect and promotion of trade and transit relations.

Yusuf said peace and stability in the region could not be ensured in the absence of economic relations. The expansion of trade and transit ties was important for both sides, he believed.

“Both countries should form a team of private sector representatives for talks on the expansion of health, education, trade, mines, information technology,” he suggested.

Ways of ensuring more facilities for Afghan passengers and patients at the Torkham and Spin Boldak gates were also discussed.

Pakistan’s efforts to avert a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan will be in focus at meetings the two sides are due to hold today.

On arrival at the Kabul airport, the Pakistani delegation was received by Nooruddin Azizi, acting minister for commerce and industry.

Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq and other high-ranking officials are part of the delegation.

The Pakistani ambassador said the NSA had a “productive meeting” with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to kick off the visit.

One key objective behind the visit is to ascertain the humanitarian, economic and development needs of Afghanistan in various sectors.

Pakistan is ready to cooperate with Afghanistan in health and higher education sectors, provision of humanitarian assistance, and enhancement of trade.

A well-placed source, meanwhile, revealed the Durand Line fencing issue also figured at the meetings. Yusuf urged his interlocutors to help ensure the completion of the remaining work.

mud

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