Kabul, December 19; President of Afghsnistan, H.E. Mr. Hamid Karzai, said that Afghanistan and Pakistan suffer from lack of trust between Governments while there is no mistrust among the people of the two brotherly countries. He was speaking to a Pakistan Parliamentary Delegation that called on him today to share joint recommendations from the 11th round of Pakistan-Afghanistan Parliamentarians Dialogue held in Kabul from December 17-18, 2013.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan understands the concerns of Afghanistan better than anyone, said Mr. Karzai, adding that both the countries are suffering from militancy and terrorism and therefore joint strategies and efforts are required to address these challenges.

The Presidium of the Pakistan delegation, Mr. Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, MNA and Senator Afrasiab Khattak, respective Conveners of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Friendship Groups in the National Assembly and the Senate of Pakistan, shared the key points of recommendations with the Afghan President that were reached by the Parliamentarians of the two countries at the 11th round of Dialogue.

Pakistan Parliamentary delegation shared best wishes for a smooth and peaceful transition of Government in Afghanistan as per the aspirations of the Afghan people.

Mr. Karzai appreciated the continuity and progress achieved in the MPs Dialogue and hoped that the dialogue process among public representatives, aimed at conflict resolution and removing trust deficit between the two countries, will continue in the days to come.

Mr. Karzai said that the people of Pakistan have treated Afghans better than Afghans could have treated themselves. It is the lack of security that breeds mistrust. He said that Afghanistan considers that peace in Afghanistan and in the region should be the key criteria of all strategic agreements.

It was shared with Mr. Karzai that in order to move forward, the two neighbouring countries must understand that each one has to cooperate with the other while safeguarding its own interests. Respect for each other's institutions will ensure that the two countries do not work at cross-purposes.

Pakistan Delegation that called on President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was led by Honourable Mr. Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, MNA (Charsadda-I, KP QWP) and Honourable Senator Afrasiab Khattak (ANP, KP) and included Honourable Sahibzada Tariqullah, MNA (NA-33, Upper Dir-cum-Lower Dir, KP, JI), Honourable Mr. Bismillah Khan, MNA (NA-39, Tribal Area-IV, IND), Honourable Dr. Ghazi Gulab Jamal, MNA (NA-43, Tribal Area VIII, IND), Honourable Malik Ihtebar Khan, MNA (NA-58, Attock-II, Punjab, PML-N), Honourable Mrs. Mussarat Ahmedzeb, MNA (NA-323, KP-II, PTI) from the National Assembly and Honouable Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash (ANP, KP), Honourable Senator Zafar Ali Shah (PML-N, ICT), Honourable Senator Dr. Mohammad Jahangir Badar (PPPP, Punjab) and Honourable Senator Mohammad Daud Khan Achakzai (ANP, Balochistan) from the Senate of Pakistan, Honourable Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, Former Deputy Speaker National Assembly and Ms. Aasiya Riaz, Joint Director PILDAT.

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