ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul on Friday agreed to increase cooperation in order to deal with terrorism and other mutual challenges faced by the two countries, DawnNews reported.

Khar said stability in Afghanistan was in the best interests of Pakistan and added that Pakistan would continue to support the Afghan people as it had done in the past. She said Pakistan would assist Afghanistan in increasing its educational and trade sectors.

Measures to combat drugs as well as terrorism were also discussed during the meeting, Khar said.

Rassoul said both Pakistan and Afghanistan faced many mutual challenges and both countries would need to take measures to combat those. He added that Afghanistan would support Pakistan in every positive step taken for ensuring stability in the region.

Furthermore, Rassoul said the use of Afghan soil to launch attacks against Pakistan would not be permitted. He added that cross-border firing from Afghanistan had also decreased.

Afghanistan would take action against militants who stage attacks against Pakistan, Rassoul said.