Press Release

 Date of Release: 07 December 2006

H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, met this evening with the visiting Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mr Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, at the Gul Khana Palace.

The President and Minister Kasuri discussed several bilateral issues, mainly the security situation in the region and the holding of the Afghanistan and Pakistan Peace Jirgas. 

Regarding the security challenges, the President said:  “In the same way that Afghans cannot imagine a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan without a peaceful and stable Pakistan, it is also impossible for Pakistan to have peace and stability without a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.” 

The President emphasized that the Afghan people desired to have strong and friendly relations with Pakistan.  However, the continuation of violence perpetrated by terrorists from across the border was a major obstacle.  “The Afghan people are suffering from terrorist violence on a daily basis, and the patience of our people to continue to bear this situation is running thin.  Both countries must work to stop terrorist violence in order to save the region from becoming a dangerous place to live in.”

Addressing the Regional Peace Jirgas, the President said:  “The holding of the Jirgas will allow our people to raise their voice for peace and security and express their grievance.  It will also allow the people of Pakistan to hear our voice and discuss their own fears.  It will be beneficial to bringing security.”

Foreign Minister Kasuri discussed Pakistan’s views on the security situation and reiterated that his country was committed to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.  He noted that the purpose of his visit was to discuss the holding of the Afghanistan and Pakistan Peace Jirgas with his counter-part, Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta. 

For further information, please contact:

Office of the Spokesman to the President

Tel.:  00 93 799 33 77 55

        00 93 799 90 94 29

Released by the Office of the Spokesman to the President