ISLAMABAD, Nov 2: Pakistan believes that the completion of the electoral process in Afghanistan will augur well for the country's stability as well as for peace and security in the region.
"We congratulate the people of Afghanistan on the completion of the electoral process. This is their decision and we respect it," was the measured response Dawn got from the Foreign Office spokesman, Masood Khan, when his comments were sought on the victory of Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan's first presidential elections.
The spokesman's response was equally diplomatic when asked if Pakistan believed that Mr Karzai's triumph would bring about political stability to the war-torn country.
"The completion of the electoral process will lead to peace, stability and reconstruction in Afghanistan," Mr Khan said, adding that presidential elections in Afghanistan were part of the Bonn process to which Pakistan, along with other countries, was committed.
Pakistan played a key role in extending support to the UNAMA and the IOM in organizing elections for Afghans living in Pakistan last month.
As a neighbouring country, Afghanistan remains a high priority country for Pakistan and Islamabad is keen to maintain close and friendly relations with Kabul. Pakistan recognises that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan is in Pakistan's own interest. Hence, it has actively participated in the process of peace, security and reconstruction in Afghanistan, backing it with high-level official and political contacts.
After the adoption of a new constitution by the loya jirga on Jan 4, the then prime minister of Pakistan, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, was the first world leader to visit Kabul to express solidarity and support for the endeavours of President Karzai and the ongoing political process in Afghanistan.
Pakistan has pledged $100 million as aid to Afghanistan, of which reportedly about 35 per cent has been disbursed in areas prioritised by the Afghan government. For the remaining amount, consultations between the finance ministers of the two countries are under way.
Pakistan signed the Declaration on 'Good Neighbourly Relations' with Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries in Kabul in December 2002.
Last year, Pakistan-Afghan relations saw a downward trend following the July 8 armed attack on Pakistan's embassy in Kabul and border skirmishes. However, this trend was arrested with the swift intervention of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who tendered an apology and promised compensation.
