ISLAMABAD, Aug 23: Pakistan and Afghanistan vowed on Monday to enhance their capability to fight terrorism as President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai resolved to further expand relationship in various fields.
The leaders told newsmen after formal talks that the neighbours had a common commitment to stamp out terrorism from the region and they would strengthen their capability and cooperation in intelligence sharing.
President Musharraf held out a categorical assurance to the Afghan leader that Pakistan would not allow anybody to use its territory for actions against the interest of Afghanistan.
"Anybody trying to carry out terrorist activities in Afghanistan or to disrupt election process or create law and order problem, will not be allowed from Pakistan. We will act against them," the President assured Mr Karzai.
He underlined that the Pakistan Army had been operating strongly against Al Qaeda terrorists in tribal areas of Pakistan along the Afghan border. "The Pakistan Army is operating very strongly against Al Qaeda. We know that they are on the run; they are dispersed and displaced from a number of valleys, which were their sanctuaries.
"They are weakened and are on the run. There is a possibility these elements are crossing the border but nobody should doubt intentions of Pakistan, its security agencies, its intelligence agencies. They are doing their best to prevent terrorists from infiltrating into Afghanistan from Pakistan.
"At the same time, we should also not think that everything is happening from Pakistan. There are people operating within Afghanistan who are carrying out terrorist acts." President Musharraf said the two countries had agreed to expand bilateral relations to the mutual benefit of both countries.
"We have just concluded very useful and exhaustive discussions on bilateral relations. We have agreed to deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation in all spheres on a sustainable and enduring basis.
"In view of manifold commonalities and geographic proximity, there is tremendous potential for bilateral cooperation in trade and economic fields. Pakistan is for trade with Afghanistan and through Afghanistan with Central Asian countries. That would be beneficial for all the three," the President said.
Islamabad, he said, fully supported the Bonn process and endeavours of President Karazi for national reconciliation and reconstruction of Afghanistan. During the last one year, a number of positive developments have taken place in Afghanistan.
In January this year, the Loya Jirga adopted a new Afghan constitution. The presidential elections in Afghanistan will take place on Oct 9 this year to be followed by parliamentary elections in April next year," Gen Musharraf observed.
Mr Karzai said the people of Afghanistan had the greatest regard for their Pakistani brethren as they welcomed a large number of Afghan refugees with open arms. "We shall say to the future generation that Pakistan has helped us in the most critical times during our jihad - our brothers and sisters in Pakistan received us with such warmth as if they received themselves - we never felt in another country.
"Pakistan gave us tremendous respect, hospitality and tremendous freedom to move around - no Afghan will ever forget that. The Afghan leader thanked President Musharraf for Pakistan's support for the interim Afghan government.
Pakistan had been with us as a brother and as a friend, he noted. Karazi said peace in his country had been beneficial for Pakistan as well, saying that Pakistani exports to Afghanistan had touched a US dollars one billion mark. -APP
Earlier, Afghan President arrived here at the Chaklala Airbase on Monday on a two-day visit to Pakistan, amid tight security, Syed Irfan Raza adds. Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and Health Minister and Minister-in-waiting Nasir Khan and senior government officials received the distinguished guest at the airport.
The Afghan leader was greeted with a 21-gun salute. Two children attired in national dresses presented bouquets to the Afghan leader.
