PESHAWAR, Oct 29: The speakers at a seminar have demanded of the government to waive visa restrictions on the movement of Pakhtoon population, living on both sides of the Durand Line and allow free trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan to promote economic ties between the two countries.

The Pakistan and Afghanistan People’s Friendship Association has organized the two-day seminar on the “Current Regional Situation and Pak-Afghan Relations and Peace” here in Peshawar on Tuesday.

Central secretary information of Awami National Party Haji Mohammad Adeel, Prof Serfaraz former Afghan minister for tribal affairs, Abdur Rashid Waziri, Afghan leaders Syed Ishaq Gillani and Babrek Shinwari spoke on the occasion.

Speaking at the seminar Haji Adeel said that the Durand Line, which demarcates the two countries could not divide Pakhtoons though it had been recognized as the international border line between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He said that Pakhtoons, living on both sides of the border should be exempted from visa restrictions. He said that the decades-long civil war in Afghanistan and influx of millions of refugees had left negative impact on the economy of NWFP and Balochistan. He suggested that the donor countries should give economic assistance for the rehabilitation of refugee hosting areas in Pakistan.

He said that the religious extremism seized to exist in Afghanistan as a result of Sept 11 crisis but fanatic groups had resurfaced in Pakistan after Oct 10 general elections. He said that the Pakistani leadership should not treat Afghanistan its fifth province.

He said Islamabad and Kabul should give incentives to local business community to enhance economic activities and generate employment opportunities in both the countries.

Haji Adeel was of the view that Afghan’s internal situation could not be improved unless foreign countries stopped interference. He said that the international community should provide economic assistance to rehabilitate the already ruined economy of Afghanistan.

Former Afghan minister Abdur Rashid Waziri in his speech said that the victory of religious elements in the recent general elections in Pakistan had astonished people, adding that the induction of religious groups in the coming governments in Balochistan and Frontier provinces might promote extremism in the region.

He said that the Pakistan government should take concrete steps to stop the interference of religious elements in the internal affairs of Afghanistan in future.