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175789
Sat, 04/16/2011 - 12:20
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Pakistan PM embarks on Afghanistan's visit
Islamabad, April 16, IRNA - Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani left for Kabul on Saturday on a day-long visit to Afghanistan for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on bilateral and regional issues, focusing on anti-terror cooperation, officials said.
It is the second visit to Afghanistan by Prime Minister Gilani in four months. He last visited the war-shattered country in December.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai had invited Prime Minister Gilani and the two leaders will discuss a wide range of issues, including bilateral relations, regional matters, the situation in Afghanistan, terrorism and cross-border infiltration, the Foreign Office says.
The new Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement will also come under discussion in the talks, according to Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua. The two countries had struck the transit agreement last year, which allows the landlocked Afghanistan to import goods through Pakistani ports.
The visit is part of the joint commitment to consult, cooperate and coordinate on all issues of mutual interest and concern, the Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua says. Official sources said that the two sides will discuss launching strategic talks.
The Army Chief, General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, and head of Inter-services Intelligence (ISI), Lt. Gen. Ahmad Shuja Pasha, will also accompany the Prime Minister. Officials say that inclusion of the top military leadership in the PM delegation is aimed at giving message to the world that they are united on the complicated Afghan problem.
The defence, interior and several other ministers are part of the Prime Minister's entourage, who will also hold meetings with their counterparts, the sources said.
President Karzai and Prime Minister Gilani will hold one-to-one meeting and later members of the delegations will join the leaders in official talks.
Both leaders will address a joint press conference to inform journalists about outcome of their talks.
On Friday, British Prime Minister David Cameron, in a telephonic talk to Mr Gilani, discussed the prospects of a political settlement in Afghanistan.
“Both leaders discussed the prime minister’s forthcoming visit to Kabul on April 16 and the prospects of a political settlement to pave the way for the restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan,” a PM’s Office statement said./end
It is the second visit to Afghanistan by Prime Minister Gilani in four months. He last visited the war-shattered country in December.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai had invited Prime Minister Gilani and the two leaders will discuss a wide range of issues, including bilateral relations, regional matters, the situation in Afghanistan, terrorism and cross-border infiltration, the Foreign Office says.
The new Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement will also come under discussion in the talks, according to Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua. The two countries had struck the transit agreement last year, which allows the landlocked Afghanistan to import goods through Pakistani ports.
The visit is part of the joint commitment to consult, cooperate and coordinate on all issues of mutual interest and concern, the Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua says. Official sources said that the two sides will discuss launching strategic talks.
The Army Chief, General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, and head of Inter-services Intelligence (ISI), Lt. Gen. Ahmad Shuja Pasha, will also accompany the Prime Minister. Officials say that inclusion of the top military leadership in the PM delegation is aimed at giving message to the world that they are united on the complicated Afghan problem.
The defence, interior and several other ministers are part of the Prime Minister's entourage, who will also hold meetings with their counterparts, the sources said.
President Karzai and Prime Minister Gilani will hold one-to-one meeting and later members of the delegations will join the leaders in official talks.
Both leaders will address a joint press conference to inform journalists about outcome of their talks.
On Friday, British Prime Minister David Cameron, in a telephonic talk to Mr Gilani, discussed the prospects of a political settlement in Afghanistan.
“Both leaders discussed the prime minister’s forthcoming visit to Kabul on April 16 and the prospects of a political settlement to pave the way for the restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan,” a PM’s Office statement said./end
