ISLAMABAD – Afghan Ambassador Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal called on PrimeMinister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi this afternoon. They discussed bilateralrelations and efforts for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister strongly condemned suicide blast at a shrine in Kabultoday in which many precious lives were lost while a number of people gotinjured. He expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with the government and peopleof Afghanistan over this brutal act of terrorism.

Expressing Pakistan’s desire for strengthening engagement with Afghanistanto deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in diverse fields, the PrimeMinister underlined importance of institutional interaction and high levelexchanges to enhance bilateral trade, economic cooperation and transit ofAfghan goods through Pakistan.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need of deepening connectivity betweenthe two countries and expediting ongoing regional projects including TAPIand CASA1000.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reiterated Pakistan’s support to theefforts for Afghan reconciliation under an Afghan-led and Afghan-ownedpeace process.

The Afghan Ambassador appreciated Prime Minister’s reaffirmation ofPakistan’s support for strengthening of bilateral relations while conveyingthat President Ashraf Ghani and Afghan leadership also desired meaningfulengagement with Pakistan in all areas of interaction.