Pakistan, Afghanistan Renew Pledge To Fight Terrorism Jointly
By KUNA
Pakistan and Afghanistan Thursday held talks during the second day of President Hamid Karzai’s visit to Islamabad and renewed pledges to jointly fight against terrorism and enhance cooperation in various fields.
According to a joint declaration, titled “Next Steps in Afghanistan-Pakistan Comprehensive Cooperation”, the two countries agreed to develop communications network, boost trade to USD 15 billion by 2015 and enhance cooperation in education, agriculture and the energy sector.
Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to evolve joint strategies for early implementation of trans-Afghan energy projects, with particular focus on CASA-1000 and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Gas Pipeline, said the declaration, signed by the foreign Ministers of the two countries.
They also agreed to develop a roadmap for strengthening road, rail and air connectivity and upgrade existing facilities, said the declaration, adding, the two countries agreed to attach priority to undertaking completion of Peshawar-Jalalabad Expressway and completing feasibility study of Peshawar-Jalalabad rail link.
Meanwhile, later addressing a joint press conference, President Hamid Karzai and Prime Minsiter Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani stressed for fulfilling the “joint responsibility” of removing dangers inhibiting development in both countries.
To a question about handing over of Afghan Taliban militants, arrested within Pakistan, the Prime Minister said that the country has an effective judicial system and that the final decision will be made after the government completes its consultation with legal advisors.
When the Afghan President was asked about his countrys decision to Pakistans offer of providing training to Afghan security forces, he said that the final decision will be taken after details of the proposal are being discussed. However, he added, Afghanistan was ready to purchase military equipment from Paksitan.
When he was asked about the Indian use of Afghan soil against Pakistan, he said that “Afghanistan does not want a proxy war between Pakistan and India”, adding that his country was “hand-in-hand and shoulder to shoulder for the prosperity of Pakistan”.
The Afghan President earlier held a meeting with the military chief and discussed matters of mutual interest.
