October 17, 2003	Friday	Sha'aban 20, 1424

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PESHAWAR, Oct 16: A nine-member group of Afghan diplomats, comprising the participants of the first specialized diplomatic course  of Foreign Services Academy, Islamabad,  called  on Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah here on Thursday.

“We have centuries-old strong bonds, based on common history, culture, religion, traditions and values with our Afghan brethren and now it is the time to exploit this unique feature to ensure better and prosperous future for the people of both   countries,” said the governor on this occasion.

“We have the honour of hosting more than three million Afghan refugees in this province for over two decades. They also include hundreds of thousands of youth and children born, brought up and educated in this country, who, having great understanding would definitely prove as our ambassadors on return to their homeland,” he said.

At present, the governor said, Afghanistan needed peace to ensure its rehabilitation and development.  As far as prospects for future  cooperation, especially in the field of economic and trade sectors were concerned, he mentioned the geographical position of Pakistan, especially the NWFP.

He said being situated at a distance of a few minutes from the border of Afghanistan, “we enjoy unprecedented advantage to join hands with our Afghan brethren in the development of every field of life.”

In this connection, the governor also mentioned the recently held Afghan trade fair in Peshawar, saying that not only 250 Afghan trade houses took part in the event, but business deals to the tune of a total of about $ 200 million were also concluded with the Pakistani counterparts.

The under-training Afghan diplomats, while expressing their views on this occasion, said: “We need to develop no new links and bridges to strengthen our relations, rather we must concentrate on the revival of old bonds and links for further strengthening of our relationships.”

They mentioned presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and said that they would never forget the  warm hospitality extended to them and the patience observed by Pakistanis during this period. The on-going  reconstruction process, they said, provided ample opportunities in this respect, which needed to be availed, they said.

Mr Javed Hussain, director-general of Foreign Services Academy, Islamabad, and Mr Wahidullah Amin, a representative of Afghan diplomats, thanked the governor for the meeting.