Pakistan reaffirms support for Afghan development

 Kabul/Islamabad, September 4: Pakistan reaffirmed on Friday its firm support for regiol and intertiol processes for reconstruction, development and progress of Afghanistan, media reported. “Pakistan is working on a number of cross-border and trans-regiol connectivity projects, including infrastructure, energy and promotion of trade and investment,” Sartaj Aziz, the Pakistan prime minister’s top aide, remarked during a meeting of the sixth Regiol Economic Conference on Afghanistan (RECA) in Kabul, Saama TV reported.

Aziz lauded Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for sharing his vision to make Afghanistan a development- and regiolly-integrated country. “Pakistan fully supports this forward-looking and progressive vision, and the plans for regiol connectivity.” The top Pakistan diplomat apprised the participants of the meeting about the progress of various projects between the two countries. “We have expedited work on rail connectivity projects, including Peshawar-Jalalabad and Chaman-Spinboldak Rail Links between Pakistan and Afghanistan.” Pakistan is working on the feasibility study for Peshawar-Kabul Motorway, saying the country is committed to extending the road network to Central Asia, he added. He said Pakistan was now focusing on simplification of practices, business-friendly visa regimes, regulations, legislations and agreements in the areas of trade and transit which facilitate the flow of goods and services, greater public-private partnership and enhanced people-to-people contacts. Pakistan has also decided to accede to the TIR Convention. This will facilitate promotion of trade between the two countries and the region. (IANS)