TASHKENT: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed on high-level bilateral mechanism for consultation and coordination on various important issues relating to bilateral relations and cooperation.

This was decided in a meeting held between Advisers to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit.

Afghan National Security Adviser Haneef Atmar was also present during the meeting.

A statement issued after the meeting said it will have a joint technical working group to deal with the concerns of both countries.

Both the sides’ reaffirmed respect for each other is

Sovereignty and territorial integrity and adherence to the principle of non-interference into each other’s internal affairs.

The two sides expressed their firm commitment to continue serious efforts towards eliminating the scourge of terrorism. Both the leaders stressed the need for continuing joint efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.