March 30, 2003	Sunday	Muharram 26, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, March 29: The first session of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Ministerial Commission was held in Kabul, according to a message received here on Saturday.

PM’s Adviser on Finance Shaukat Aziz and Afghanistan’s Minister for Finance Ashraf Ghani, led the delegations of their respective countries.

Both the sides expressed satisfaction at the holding of JMC meeting, “which will further strengthen the already brotherly and friendly relations between the two countries.”

Development of banking in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s technical assistance in this field, as well as in education, health, and postal services, were issues that figured in the discussions.

Increase in the number of commercial flights between the two countries, establishment of a microwave link, development of roads in Afghanistan, and disbursement of commodities aid to Kabul were other issues that were looked into.

Mr Aziz also called on President Hamid Karzai, Vice-President, Amin Arsala and Foreign Minister, Abdullah Abdullah and discussed with them matters of mutual interest.

He also called on Lakhdar Brahimi, the United Nations Representative for Afghanistan.

The JMC meeting will conclude on Sunday.