National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has said that peace in Afghanistan was imperative for regional economic development and connectivity. He said that peace in Afghanistan would bring prosperity in Afghanistan, the region and Pakistan would stand firm with an indigenous Afghan owned peace process.

The views were expressed by him while talking to the Ambassador of Afghanistan in Pakistan Mr Najeebullah Ali Khel who called on him in Islamabad on Thursday. During the meeting, Pak-Afghan relations and the political situation in the region, and issues of mutual interest came under discussion.

Asad Qaiser said that constructive engagement between parliamentarians and the political leadership of both the countries had brought each other closer. He said that Pakistani and Afghan people were not only neighbors and brothers but also have strong historic linkages. He said that he was looking forward to his visit to Kabul where he would meet his Afghan counterpart and Afghan leadership.

Referring to the initiatives by the Parliament and the Executive, the Speaker NA said that on the recommendations of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in the National Assembly impediments in strengthening bilateral relations and trade were removed. He said that tariff barriers and impediments in Afghan bilateral and transit trade had witnessed a positive progression in the bilateral trade. The Speaker said that further discussion will be held to further strengthen people-to-people contacts and trade.

Afghan Ambassador Mr. Najeebullah Ali Khel said that government and the people of Afghanistan are also appreciative of Pakistan’s efforts for peace in Afghanistan. He agreed that not only Afghanistan but the entire region would reap the dividends of peace in Afghanistan. He said that people on both sides of the border had close affinities. He expressed his gratitude to Speaker Asad Qaiser for this initiative for bringing the political leadership and people of both countries more closer.

Afghan Ambassador said that forthcoming visit to Speaker National Assembly and his delegation would be historical and vital for the warm relations between both the countries. He said that this visit would provide an opportunity to Pakistani parliamentarians to meet their Afghan counterparts.  He said that the Afghan government also values parliamentary actions for enhancing bilateral trade.