ISLAMABAD, June 9: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday that Pakistan and Afghanistan have deep rooted relationship based on shared history, culture, common faith and economic interdependence.

He said Pakistan wanted to further strengthen economic and trade ties with the neighbour country for which there was a great potential.

Talking to a media delegation from Afghanistan which called on him at the Prime Minister’s House, Mr Aziz said Pakistan had been consistently supporting Afghanistan in its reconstruction efforts, peace, stability and prosperity.

A strong, stable and vibrant Afghanistan was as much in Pakistan’s interest as it was for Afghans, he said.

“The events in Afghanistan have a spill over effect on Pakistan and we will continue our support for peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan to maintain regional stability,” the prime minister said.

He said Pakistan was playing a stabilizing role in the region facing many challenges.

The premier said Pakistan provided the shortest access to the sea for all landlocked countries of Central Asia, Afghanistan and Western China. The geo-strategic location and international compulsions had revitalized Pakistan’s role for the promotion of multi-sectoral intra-regional cooperation which provided the basis for peace and prosperity in the area, he said.

Mr Aziz said that some elements had been working to create tension and misunderstanding between the two countries. Those forces wanted to destabilize Afghanistan.

He said that they were also using the media to create misunderstandings between the two countries, and added that the Afghan government and people should be aware of such elements and counter them.

Media could play an affective role in promoting peace and friendship between the two countries, Mr Aziz said.

He stressed that the international community should do more to support Afghanistan in eradicating poppy cultivation through crop substitution and employment generation.

The prime minister said Pakistan was against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and was determined to fight terror.

“Terrorism knows no borders. It needs to be uprooted through collective efforts and at the same time the root causes of terrorism must be resolved,” the prime minister said.

Talking of trade relations between the two countries, he noted with satisfaction that the volume of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan had risen to $1.5 billion in a few years.

Replying to a question, he said that Pakistan had taken a number of steps to stop illegal infiltration on Pakistan-Afghan border.

To increase communication level, it had been decided that foreign secretaries of the two countries should meet once every three months.

However, he said that security forces of the two sides should have a continuous link to avoid any communication gap.

Answering another question, the prime minister mentioned initiatives taken by Pakistan to streamline and facilitate Afghan Transit Trade.

He said to facilitate trade latest terminals were being established at border points and Pakistan wanted to construct train track up to Spin Boldak and Kandhar.

About the energy sector developments, he said Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project was on track and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline project was being perused.

The delegation members included Abdul Mudaqiq, Ariana TV; Mohammad Daud, Kabul Times; Khalilullah, Daily Cheragh; Abdul Rauf Liwal, Pajwak News Agency; Asma Habin, BBC; and Abdul Mukhtar Ghafarzoy, Shamshad TV.—APP