Islamabad January 14, 2020: An Afghan delegation led by Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, Second Deputy Chief Executive of Afghanistan and Head of Hezb-e-Wahadat Mardum-e-Afghanistan called on Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser in Parliament House, this evening.

The delegation comprising sitting and former Members of the Welosi Jirga, Members of the Hezb-e-Wahadat Mardum-e-Afghanistan and Civil Society Representatives is currently visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Lahore Center for Peace Research.

While talking to the delegation, Speaker National Assembly said that Pakistan always desired a peaceful Afghanistan which was not only in its interest but also in the larger interest of the region. He said that both the nations were intertwined in eternal bonds of religion, culture, history, neighborhood and language. He expressed his satisfaction on the engagement of stakeholders in peace negotiations. He said that Pakistan would always support Afghan led and owned peace process. The Speaker said that both the countries have common threats and challenges and which could be jointly addressed.

Speaker Asad Qaiser said that relations between both the countries could by further consolidated through enhanced interaction between Members of the parliament from both sides. He suggested that Afghanistan’s participation in the CPEC could be beneficial for socio-economic development of Afghanistan besides serving as gateway to Central Asia and beyond. He said that rail and road network would be extended up to the border for facilitating Pak-Afghan Trade.

Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, second Deputy Chief Executive of Afghanistan and Head of Hezb-e-Wahadat Mardum-e-Afghanistan thanked the Speaker for giving them an audience. He said that Pakistan was not only a neighbor of Afghanistan but a dear brother. He said that friends could be chosen by choice but not the neighbors. He said that Afghanistan strongly desires to strengthen its relations with Pakistan. He appreciated the Lahore Institute for peace research for facilitating Intra-Afghan dialogue for bringing peace in the country. He agreed that both the countries could collectively work for the peace and stability in the region. He thanked Pakistan for hosting Afghan people during war in Afghanistan.