Gilani, Karzai Vow To Boost Trade Ties

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan wants to boost bilateral ties with Afghanistan, and vowed to increase trade ties between the two countries as well.
Gilani expressed these views during a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Islamabad today. Gilani also declared increase in the scholarships for Afghan students and added that trade between both the countries would be increased by Rs5billion till 2015. Talking to media, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said: “I am in Pakistan to convey to the people of Pakistan that our destinies are shared”, and assured PM Gilani of all-out support in war against terrorism.
He said sufferings in wake of the war against terrorism is shared by both the countries, adding that Pakistan’s role has been recognized. He expressed the resolve that both the countries would move towards peace together. He thanked PM Gilani for extending support to his country in all situations.
Q&A session: Replying to a question regarding Indian interference, Karzai said that Afghanistan would not allow its territory for terrorism against any country especially Pakistan. “My country would not allow proxy war on its soil against any country whether between Iran and US or Pakistan and India”, Karzai maintained. Answering a question on drone attacks, the Afghan President said that the issue is not within his remit, while Gilani said that Pakistan has categorically told the US that the drone attacks are counterproductive and demanded technology transfer to minimize the collateral damage. On water issue, Karzai said that his country would not take any step that would reduce the water flow towards Pakistan.

Senior analyst Nasim Zehra, while talking to Dunya News said that ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan are getting better and trust between both the countries is being restored of late. She added that Karzai’s visit would also help increase the relations.