LAHORE - Former Foreign Minister Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali has stressed the need for a long term agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan to promote bilateral relations.
Addressing a discussion on “Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations – Issues and Challenges” arranged by Citizen Media Commission at a local hotel on Sunday, he said that recent regional developments were important for Pakistan. Senior journalist and expert of Afghan issues Aimal Khan Khatak, Defense Analyst Maj General (r) Zahid Mubashir, Salman Abid, Latif Ch, Brig (r) Farooq Hameed Khan, Dr Iqbal Khalil, Nasir Memon, Brig (r) Syed Ghazanfar Ali, Dr Ijaz Butt and Tanvir Shahzad were among the other speakers.
“Afghanistan has also realised the fact that peace and development will not be possible without the support of Pakistan,” Assef added.
Other speakers were of the view that present Afghan government was keen to improve relations with Pakistan by removing misunderstandings. They said that people in Pakistan and Afghanistan were appreciating the efforts being initiated to normalize relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
They urged Pakistan to play its role for ensuring a democratic, stable and strong government in Afghanistan.
They stressed the need for a new Afghan policy with the consultation of all stakeholders. They said that efforts should be made to dispel the impression that Pakistan’s foreign policy was not being made by civilian government.