Pakistan wants better ties with neighbouring countries: Dar

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said there is a lot of potential in enhancing trade and economic co-operation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said this during meeting with Afghan Finance Minister Dr Omar Zakhilwal on the sidelines of the 39th Annual Board of Governors Meeting of Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah on Tuesday. The two Ministers discussed progress on various issues of common interests between the two countries.
Dr Omar Zakhilwal briefed Ishaq Dar on the latest situation in Afghanistan and on the recently held elections in Afghanistan. He said Afghanistan is looking forward to have a new government in office soon. He updated the Finance Minister on his country's point of view on CASA-1000 project and expressed his government's willingness to resolve the issue of transit fee at the earliest. He said Afghanistan desires for early completion of the project as it will play an important role in promoting relations between the two countries and the region.
While emphasising on regional trade and economic co-operation, the Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said there is a lot of potential in enhancing trade between the two countries. He said Pakistan desires to promote regional peace and security by promoting economic relations with its neighbours. The Finance Minister expressed his resolve to continue to work with Afghanistan with total commitment and devotion to the cause of cementing relations between the two brotherly Muslim countries.
Finance Minister said CASA-1000 project was important for regional integration and success of this project would pave the way for bigger projects like TAPI. Moreover, there is a distinct possibility that success of this project may lead to its expansion in future and allow an interrupted supply of electricity from Central Asian States. Dr Omar Zakhilwal agreed that CASA-1000 is an important project for regional integration and should be completed on priority. He agreed that successful completion of the project will pave the way for uninterrupted supply of electricity from Central Asia throughout the year.
Attaur Rehman Durrani Advisor to Afghan Ministry of Finance and Frough Kaifer Aid Coordination Specialist accompanied Afghan Finance Minister while Consul General Aftab A Khokher, Consul Commercial Abdul Wahab Soomro and Sohail Ali Khan Press Consular were present from Pakistani side.