Officials from Afghanistan and Pakistan are continuing to work toward a common goal of rooting out terrorism in the region and building a relationship based on trust.
“Our focus is on enhanced political engagement, security and counterterrorism cooperation, trade and economic partnership, and regional cooperation,” said Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, according to The News International. “Both the countries have paid a very heavy price at the hands of terrorism, and now we have launched the Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which has broken the backbone of terrorist networks in the country. We have a commitment not to allow territories to be used against each other.”
His statement came after a March 2015 meeting with Afghan Minister for Refugees and Repatriation Sayed Hussain Alemi Balkhi. Pakistan supports an Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process and internationally endorsed plans to aid Afghan refugees, Sharif said.
Balkhi thanked Pakistan for planeloads of relief supplies for Afghans devastated by a series of avalanches in February 2015 that killed more than 250 people. He described the increasing cooperation between the neighboring countries as historic and called Sharif a visionary leader who is prioritizing peace.
Balkhi said the people of Afghanistan wish to focus on building the country through economic development.