ISLAMABAD, Nov 8: President of Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Monday said the good neighbourly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan could lead to durable peace as well as political and economic stability in the region.

Felicitating the newly-elected President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai, he said with his victory the brotherly as well as bilateral relations between the two countries would further strengthen in the days to come, says a Press release.

He further said Pakistan and Afghanistan were the Muslim and neighbouring states and maintaining durable peace and stability was in the interest of both the states as well as their people.

He maintained that the governments of both the countries share a common approach on all issues confronting them including terrorism, peace, drugs business and illegal smuggling.

Pakistan has a foreign policy based on excellent relations especially with its neighbours, which has now started bearing fruit and its ranking in the foreign world has improved as a result of the successful policies of President Gen Pervez Musharraf on all sensitive issues, including terrorism.

Referring to $100 million Pakistan's package for the reconstruction of Afghanistan, he said Pakistan and its people had always extended their maximum cooperation in strengthening this neighbouring Muslim state and this cooperation would continue in future to the possible extent.

He also hoped that Karzai-led government would reciprocate in this regard that will lead to the revival of peace and stability in the region.

Our staff reporter adds: Afghanistan has lauded the arrangements made by Pakistani security forces for Afghan refugees who exercised their right to vote in the recently-held presidential elections.

The measures taken by the Pakistani security forces were appreciated by Afghan Ambassador Dr Nanguyalai Tarzi in a meeting with Minister of State for Interior Dr Shahzad Waseem here on Monday.

Issues of mutual interests, including border security and terrorism, were also discussed in the meeting.