ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Husssain on Friday met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tashkent. The two leaders discussed ways of strengthening bilateral relations as well as efforts for bringing long term peace and stability to Afghanistan.

The President reiterated Pakistan’s desire for lasting peace in Afghanistan and deepening of bilateral ties. He said a stable and prosperous Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interest. Pakistan, therefore, wanted to strengthen the cooperative and good neighbourly relations with Afghanistan based on the principles of mutual respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

President Mamnoon said that a politically negotiated settlement was a viable option for lasting peace in Afghanistan through an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process.

The two leaders emphasized the need of close cooperation in fighting terrorism which continued to cause loss of innocent human lives in both countries. President stressed that effective border management was vital for the security of two countries and peoples.

The two Presidents endorsed the decision to establish a high level consultation mechanism headed by Adviser and the Afghan Foreign Minister and including the two National security Advisers supported by a joint technical working group to effectively deal with issues of movement of people and vehicles between the two countries and related security issues.

President Mamnoon Hussain expressed confidence that strengthening of engagement through such mechanism will contribute to deepening mutual trust and friendship. It will enhance the environment of peace and security thus enabling the two countries to fulfill their vision of regional cooperation and connectivity.—PR