August 7, 2002	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 27,1423

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QUETTA, Aug 6: A delegation of Afghan security officials, led by Kandahar Governor Gul Agha Sherzai, met Corps Commander Lt-Gen Abdul Quadir on Tuesday and discussed issues including border security situation, cross-border infiltration and checking of Al Qaeda and Taliban’s entry into Pakistan. .

The Afghan delegation included chief of the operational command, Gen Gul Laily, Border Security Force Commander Gen Obaidullah and commander of internal security force of Kandahar, Gen Bacha Khan.

Sources said that during the meeting, views were exchanged on matters of common interest and it was decided that such meeting between the countries would continue.

The corps commander assured all possible cooperation to the delegation and said that the people of Balochistan had strong emotional attachment with their Afghan brethren.

He assured Kandahar governor that Pakistan would continue to support Afghanistan at all platforms.

Gen Quadir said Pakistan was keen to launch construction of Chaman-Kandahar road, as it would help the people of both the countries in trade. He said the government was committed to fully take part in reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan despite its limited resources.

He assured the Afghan delegation that the government would make sincere efforts for the restoration of 1964 agreement in letter and spirit and would resolve the problems related to transit trade.

“We hope elements working against Pakistan’s national interest and integrity would be kept under strict security check in Afghanistan,” Gen Quadir said while expressing the government’s concerns regarding cross-border infiltration.

Gul Agha Sherzai said: “Pakistan and Afghan governments would work in close harmony to fight against terrorism.”

He thanked the government and people of Pakistan for extending help to Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion and for fighting against terrorism after Sept 11.

He said Pakistan should undertake the construction of Chaman-Kandahar highway and said it would bring the people of the countries closer.

Afghan Foreign Affairs Ministry Director Khalid Pushtoon and Mohammad Sadiq Daudzai, counsel-general of Afghanistan in Quetta, were also present in the meeting which lasted for over two hours.

Governor Sherzai also met Balochsitan police inspector-general.