Islamabad;  February 25, 2021: Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that peace in Afghanistan was imperative for regional economic development and connectivity. He said that Afghan peace process would be beginning  of an era of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region. He said that Pakistan would stand firm with an Afghan led and Afghan owned peace process. He said this in a conversation with Special Representative of the Afghan President Mr. Omar Daudzai who met Speaker in Islamabad, this afternoon along with a delegation.

During the meeting, Pak-Afghan relations and the political situation in the region and issues of mutual interest came under discussion. Speaker Asad Qaiser said that Pakistan strongly desires a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan which is in the best interest of Pakistan and the entire region. He said that Pakistani and Afghan people were not only neighbours and brothers but also have strong historic linkages. He said that constructive engagement between political leaderships had brought two nations more closer.

Speaker Asad Qaiser said that Pakistan has consistently supported an inclusive, broad based and political peace efforts in Afghanistan. He opined that the parties to the peace process should avail this opportunity and engage constructively for durable peace in Afghanistan. He said that positive progression in the peace negotiations depicts the commitment of the Afghan leadership in the peace process. He said that there was no military solution to the Afghan issue.

Apprising the Special Representative about the initiatives by the Parliament and the Executive, the Speaker said that Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in National Assembly taking the lead discussed and forwarded recommendations for removing impediments in strengthening bilateral relations and trade. He said that Pakistan had removed tariff barriers and impediments in Afghan bilateral and transit trade. He viewed that Afghan traders, students, visitors specially patients would greatly benefit from the liberalised visa policy. He said that Afghanistan due to its geographical location could serve as the gateway to Central Asia bringing CPEC benefits to Afghanistan but also to the Central Asia and beyond. He proposed establishment of border markets for enhancing economic activities both sides of the border.

Special Representative of Afghan President for Pakistan Mr. Omar Daudzai said that government and people of Afghanistan are appreciative of Pakistan's efforts for peace in Afghanistan. He said that Afghan nation value Pakistan for its assistance for infrastructure development in Afghanistan especially for hosting Afghan refugees for decades. He agreed that the all parties to the peace process need to pursue it through perseverance and commitment for lasting peace in Afghanistan. He agreed that not only Afghanistan but the entire region would reap the dividends of peace.

Mr. Omar Daudzai said that people on both sides of the border had close affinities. He expressed his gratitude to Speaker Asad Qaiser for this initiatives for bringing the political leadership and people of both the countries more closer. He said that Parliaments of both the countries would deepen ties between both the nations. He invited Speaker to visit Afghanistan.