Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was accorded warm welcome upon his arrival at Lahore Airport on Friday. Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar received the Afghan President. Two children presented bouquets to the Afghan President. Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said that we welcome the Afghan President in Lahore from the core of our hearts adding that this visit is indeed a new start of Pakistan-Afghan ties. "Your visit will further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries," he added. The CM said that both the countries enjoy brotherly relations and boosting of contacts will help to increase trade and economic activities. "We have to move forward jointly for maintaining peace in the region," he further said.
Ashraf Ghani said that he is happy to visit Lahore which is the heart of Pakistan.
From the airport, the Afghan President came to Governor House, Lahore, where he met with the Governor Punjab Ch. Muhammad Sarwar and had lunch there. Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat, Provincial Information Minister Syed Sumsam Bukhari, Provincial Minister for Housing Mian Mahmood ur Rasheed, Provincial Minister for Tourism and Higher Education Yasir Hamyun, Member Punjab Assembly Syed Yawar Bukhari, Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Sardar Dost Mazari, Chief Secretary, IG Punjab and other dignitaries were present.
Afghan president also met with the investors and experts in education sector. He offered Juma prayers at Governor House along-with the Governor Punjab Ch. Muhammad Sarwar.
Governor Punjab Ch. Muhammad Sarwar said that Pakistan fully supports Afghan led and afghan owned peace process. Pakistan armed forces and personnel of law enforcement agencies have sacrificed countless lives against terrorism. "A peaceful and strengthened Pakistan needs peaceful neighborhood and road to peace in Kabul goes through Islamabad," the Governor said, adding: "We are facilitating Afghan Government in our fullest capacity to bring peace and stability there."
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in a meeting with the Governor Punjab discussed matters pertaining to Pak-Afghan relations, security situation in the region, regional peace, terrorism, trade and other issues.
The Governor said, "Pakistan and Afghanistan are not mere neighbors, we are more than that, we are connected by Muslim bond of brotherhood." He said that it is an undisputed fact that Pakistan has played a very positive role in bringing peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan as Pakistan is in favor of the political solution of Afghan problem. We believe that a peaceful Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan, a strengthened and peaceful Pakistan needs peaceful Afghanistan, he said.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said "I'm greatly obliged and thankful for the love, hospitality and affection which have been displayed here at Governor House in my honor." He said that his meetings with President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan have been very successful and his forward looking approach has been appreciated by all. Insha Allah Pak-Afghan ties will get more strengthened in future and our trade relations will also get a boost.
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