Afghanistan, Pakistan stress joint efforts to fight terrorism

KABUL - Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Saturday described terrorism as the common enemy and called for joint efforts to overcome the menace, saying the peace in the region was in the interest of both the neighbouring countries.

“I am emphasising that a stable Afghanistan would benefit Pakistan, and Afghanistan would not achieve peace without Pakistan’s support,” Karzai said at a joint press conference with the visiting Pakistani leader, Xinhua reported.

“Like in Afghanistan, terrorists also target Pakistan, detonate bombs there even inside the mosques and kill Pakistani people,” Karzai said.

Echoing Karzai’s remarks, Gilani said: “Afghanistan and Pakistan are not only neighbours, they are not only friends. We have ties of century and we need to enhance our relationship.”

Assuring his government’s cooperation in war against militancy and extremism, the Pakistani premier said, “We are extending full cooperation in war on terror.”

Karzai’s remarks came amid increasing militancy in both countries and trading accusations.

Afghan officials often accuse certain circles in Pakistan of supporting Taliban, a claim rejected by Islamabad as groundless, the report said.

Pakistani Interior Minister Rahman Malik reportedly said a couple of weeks ago that militants active in Pakistan have been receiving support from Afghanistan.

Allaying the concerns, Karzai said his government would not allow its soil to be used against Pakistan and expects the same from the Pakistani government.

Gilani, who arrived in Kabul for a two-day visit Saturday, stressed for enhancing relations. This is the first visit of Gilani as the prime minister of Pakistan.