February 17, 2003	Monday	Zul Hijjah 15, 1423

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RAWALPINDI, Feb 16: As part of Pakistan’s commitment to support and strengthen the new government in Afghanistan and raising the National Army of Afghanistan as envisaged under the Bonn Conference, the government has given weapons and ammunition to the Afghanistan government.

A ceremony was held at the PAF Base, Chaklala, here on Sunday in which 5000 (submachine guns) MP5A3s, 180 mortars (82 mm calibre), 75 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG-7), with 50,000 rounds of submachine, 10,000 mortar bombs and 750 rockets of RPG-7 were handed over to Mr Rahmatullah Musaghazi, the Afghan Minister Counsellor and Charge d’Affaires in Pakistan.

According official sources, the Pakistan armed forces would train personnel of the Afghan National Army at various military training institutions in the country.

This training would be carried out under a phased programme on the request of the Afghan government.