ISLAMABAD, April 8: Pakistan has offered Afghanistan to professionally train its police and anti-narcotics force. The offer was extended to the visiting Afghan National Security Adviser, Zahmay Rasul , in a meeting with Interior Minister Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat here on Thursday.

The minister conveyed to the visitor Pakistan's concerns about the alarmingly high rate of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. "Pakistan is not only a transit country but also a victim country. We appreciate the efforts of the Karzai government in creating stability in Afghanistan but the problem of narcotics needs special attention," he said.

He said a stable Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan. "We have so much in common; the biggest link is the religion. Then there are blood ties and a cultural bond," Mr Hayat said.

Mr Rasul said the Afghan government was fully committed to completely eradicating poppy from the country but due to lack of resources the results were sometimes slower than what the international community expected.

"We have established a counter-narcotics directorate for eradicating poppy. This year we expect to destroy a sizable amount of poppy," he added. Both the countries agreed to share information to control poppy cultivation and drug trade. The meeting was also attended by secretary interior Tasneem Noorani, director-general Anti Narcotics Force and Afghan ambassador to Pakistan.