PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Friday stressed the need for improved relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan for bringing peace and stability to the region.

He expressed the views while talking to Afghan President Hamid Karzai on phone on Friday, according to a press release. Both the leaders said peace was a must for development in the two neighbouring states.

The two leaders exchanged Eid greetings and inquired after each other’s well-being. They also talked about the prevailing political situation and stressed the need for restoration of durable peace in the region.

The QWP leader said Islamabad and Kabul would have to join hands to bring peace and development to the region as the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan had been exposed to many challenges.

Mr Sherpao, who is convener of the Pak-Afghan Friendship Group in the National Assembly, hoped that the leadership of the two countries would make efforts to bridge the trust deficit and bring the people closer to each other.

He said Pakistan wanted to see a prosperous and developed Afghanistan as the two countries shared common faith, culture and history. He said peace in Pakistan was linked to stability in Afghanistan.

Published in Dawn, Aug 2nd , 2014