By Asim Hussain
ISLAMABAD: Speaker Asad Qaiser has said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are not only neighbors but intertwined in religious, cultural and historic bonds. He said that engagement between political hierarchy and parliamentarians from either side had further strengthened the existing relations. He was talking to Acting Ambassador of Afghanistan Rahimullah Qatra who called on him in Islamabad on Thursday.
The Speaker National Assembly said that a peaceful Afghanistan was in the best interest of the region and the world. He said that was also encouraging to see the positive developments on the Afghan peace process. The commitment and understanding between both the nations had foiled foreign attempts to create misunderstandings, he added.
Referring to the formation of task forces of Pak-Afghan Parliamentary Friendship Group, Asad Qaiser said that the Task Forces deliberated a spectrum of issues affecting trade and people to people contact between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He said that recommendations had been finalized and sent to Government for implementation. He said that the proposed changes in visa policy and according concessions for Afghan traders would help increase people to people contacts and economic activity on both sides.
Afghan Acting Ambassador Rahimullah Qatra thanked the Speaker for his kind remarks and said that both the nations had much affinity which was increasing with the passage of time. He praised the role of Speaker in taking the lead role in visa and trade facilitation and resolution of contentious issues.
Rahimullah Qatra said that Afghanistan attaches immense importance to its relations with Pakistan and its efforts for bringing peace in Afghanistan are commendable. He said that extending trade and cooperation in diverse sectors would be beneficial for both the countries. He praised the role of Parliamentary Friendship Groups in augmentation of existing cordial relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
