Senator Afrasiab Khattak has underscored the need for friendly ties with the neighbouring Afghanistan which is vital for boosting bilateral trade and peace in the region. Speaking at a forum on "Afghanistan Presidential Elections 2014" organised by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) here on Tuesday, Khattak stressed on strengthening bilateral and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
He said that brotherly relations between both the countries are vital for the economy. He was of the opinion that Afghan leadership, including presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah, has a positive approach towards Pakistan to have friendly relations with the country. He said that Afghan leadership wants to develop good relation with Pakistan as they are well-aware of the fact that better relations with neighbouring are not only important for Afghanistan, but for the whole region.
About the presidential elections 2014, he said that a large number of people participated in the election process which was good sign for the war-torn country, indicating that the people have rejected Talibanisation. He stressed that Pakistan needs to adjust its policy towards Afghanistan.
Khattak said that high voter turnout and political maturity displayed in the first phase of Afghan Presidential Election 2014 showed democracy is gaining ground in Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan needs to extend its support to the people of Afghanistan for a peaceful and democratic transition as well as for joint economic ventures that will help both the countries to sustain economic stability in the South Asian region.
"Our focus should shift from Geo-Strategic to Geo-Economic relations with Afghanistan," he observed. He also pointed out that Taliban have emerged strong militarily but not politically and both countries should make sincere efforts to curb terrorism, he added. He pointed out that currently there have been important social, political & cultural changes in Afghanistan, which is a good sign. He said that Afghan society had changed over the last decade and people had tasted political empowerment twice through elections.
He said that education was spreading and there was a vibrant and dynamic media. Other participants of the forum were also of the view that bilateral relations between both the neighbouring Muslim countries are important for peace and stability in the region.
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