Pakistan strongly desires a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan: NA Speaker.

ISLAMABAD -- National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has said that the stable relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is imperative for the progress and development of both the countries.

He said enhanced bilateral Parliamentary, trade and economic cooperation is the need of the hour. He expressed these views in a meeting with Ambassador of Afghanistan Shukr Allah Atif, who called on him here on Tuesday.

The Speaker said peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan has always been the prime objective of Pakistan's foreign policy. He said that peaceful and prosperous neighborhood was in the interest of Pakistan.

He said Pakistan and Afghanistan are brotherly neighboring countries intertwined in religious, cultural and historical bonds. He also termed Afghanistan, a gateway to central Asia and can link South with Central Asia.

The Speaker emphasized the need for intensifying contacts between the legislatures of both the countries. He suggested for enhancing these contacts through Parliamentary Friendship groups besides establishing contacts between Trade and Commerce Committees of both the Parliaments.

He also said that he was contemplating the establishment of a Parliamentary Forum comprising Members of the Parliament from all the political parties belonging to all the four federating units for creating synergies of cooperation and better understanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He reiterated his earlier invitation to Speaker Afghan Wolesi Jirga to visit Pakistan along with...