*ISLAMABAD: *Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Omar ZaKhilWal on Monday saidthat state institutions could not determine the ties between Pakistan andAfghanistan, and better ties were possible only through people to peoplecontact.
“The culture, history and heritage of the two countries bear resemblance.No matter how tense the relations between the leadership of the twocountries remain, the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to meeteach other. Thousands of people go across the borders daily,” he saidwhile speaking to a private media outlet, Pakistan Today has reported.
The ambassador said that prevailing trust deficit between Pakistan andAfghanistan was not only due to incidents of the past, but recent policieswere also a reason.
“The trust deficit existing between Pakistan and Afghanistan is not onlydue to past incidents but the recently made policies are a reason as well.However, both the countries will have to change their policies to forgegood ties which can only become possible through mutual relations,” hesaid, adding that good relations between the two countries were in thebetter interests of both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Replying to a question, he said that Afghanistan’s relations with Pakistanwere more important than those with India. “2018 was a difficult year inthis regard. But we don’t stand discouraged because we have learnt a lessonfrom our past mistakes.”
He observed that the Afghan army was highly talented. “Taliban is a threatand our armed forces are coping with them in the best way possible. Peopleof Afghanistan and our armed forces have rendered unprecedented sacrificesin this war,” he added.
To a question, he said that Afghanistan did not believe in border fencing.“No ban should be imposed on the movement of people. This method is notsuccessful in the 21st century. But we should work on projects under whichpeople of both the countries meet each other like in Europe.”
Replying to another question, Dr Omar said that change was coming inPakistani politics, which was a good omen. “Afghanistan is keeping awatchful eye on Pakistani politics. I hope this political change will bringabout stability in Pakistan and the new rulers will prove to be the bestfor the country and its people,” he said.