Pakistani PM to visit Kabul on Dec. 4-5

Islamabad, Dec 4, IRNA - Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will pay an official visit to Afghanistan on 4-5 December at the invitation of President Hamid Karzai, the Foreign Ministry said.

In Kabul, Gilani will hold talks with the Afghan President on further expanding bilateral relations which are underpinned by mutual respect and interest, the Foreign Office spokesman noted.

They will also exchange views on the overall regional situation.

Gilani will meet with First Vice-President Marshal Mohammad Qasim Fahim, Second Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili, Speaker of Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of the Parliament) Mohammad Younas Qanooni and Chairman of High Council for Peace Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Prime Minister Gilani will have a breakfast meeting with Afghan businessmen. He will also address the Pakistan-Afghanistan Graduate Alumnae.

The spokesman said Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations with the brotherly Afghanistan.

“In the last two years, ties between both countries have come a long way, especially towards promoting economic relations, as well as people-to-people contacts. Pakistan is actively participating in the development of Afghanistan through its US$ 330 million assistance program”./end