ISLAMABAD, The acting Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan Abdul Salam Hanafi on Saturday assured the visiting Pakistani National Security Advisor (NSA) Moeed Yousaf that the Afghan soil would not be used against its neighbors.

According to a statement issued by the Afghan Presidential Palace in capital city Kabul, “The policy of the Islamic Emirate [of Afghanistan] is clear that we will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against [our] neighbors and other countries.” While hosting the inter-ministerial delegation in Kabul attended by a high-level Pakistani delegation, Hanafi said, “We also want similar action from others.” The statement further said that Hanafi urged Pakistani business leaders and investors to invest in Afghanistan’s energy, mines and agriculture sectors.

He stressed the need for the implementation of major regional projects, including the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline (Tapi), Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan 500-kV Line (TAP-500) project and the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000), for the import of electricity from two Central Asian countries by Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“Pakistan and Afghanistan are two brotherly neighboring countries which have historical, religious and brotherly relations and I am confident that the friendly relations will be durable,” said Hanafi.

He said Afghanistan wanted good relations with Pakistan, based on mutual respect, and the promotion of trade and transit relations between the two countries.

Moreover, Pakistan Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan told media that NSA Moeed Yusuf called on Hanafi and discussed the strengthening of brotherly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan to promote trade, transit and connectivity.

Source: Kuwait News Agency