Ambassador Daniel Feldman, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, called on Federal Minister for Finance Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday. Feldman congratulated the Finance Minister on the successful completion of seven reviews by IMF as Pakistan had entered the eighth review. He also praised the efforts of the present government for improving the economy of the country.
The finance minister, talking to the US representative, said that both Afghanistan and Pakistan believe in the diplomacy of trade and since the last visit of the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in November, things have improved many times in the fields of trade and commerce. "I have been taking special interest in the follow-up of the important decisions taken in our November 14 meetings", said the minister. Trade and economic co-operation take the front seat in our decision-making, added the minister.
Feldman discussed with the minister the initiatives Pakistan has been planning to further strengthen the economic ties with Afghanistan. The minister further said that Pakistan is firm on her commitment to extend trade with Afghanistan and both the countries are planning to hold the next Joint Economic Commission session in the month of August this year.
Omar Zakhilwal from Afghan side will cooperate with him for holding the JEC. He also said the improved security situation in the region will further accelerate the chances of economic activity between the two countries. The Finance Minister also condemned the terrorist attack on the Indian territory and said that peace in the country and also in the neighbouring countries is the sincerest desire of Pakistan.-PR