RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will leave for Kabul today (Friday) on a daylong visit for an in-depth consultations with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in the backdrop of Pakistan’s support to his offer of peace talks with the Taliban, Foreign Office said.

According to Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, the Prime Minister’s visit is taking place on the invitation of Afghan President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani and in the backdrop of Pakistan’s support to President Ghani’s offer of peace talks with the Taliban for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and strengthening bilateral engagement.

The prime minister will have in-depth consultations with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Dr Abdullah Abdullah on matters of mutual interest, including strengthening of bilateral political, economic, security and counter-terrorism cooperation, return of Afghan refugees, combating drug production and narco-trade, Afghan peace process and regional political and security situation, he said. The prime minister will also meet senior Afghan political leaders.

“Pakistan will continue to support Afghanistan’s developments efforts through capacity building in infrastructure, education and health sectors in Afghanistan. Pakistan also aspires to deepen people to people contacts,” he said.