PM Khan wants Afghanistan and Pakistan to harness 'untapped' economic potential

H.E. Mir Rahman Rahmani, Speaker of Wolesi Jirga (House of People) of Afghanistan along with delegation calls on Prime Minister Imran Khan at Islamabad on 23rd October, 2020. (PID Photo)

• In a meeting with the speaker of Wolesi Jirga, Khan says that peace in Afghanistan will benefit regional connectivity
• The prime minister also assured the visiting dignitary that his country will fully support Afghanistan 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that Afghanistan and Pakistan had untapped economic complementarities, adding that the two neighboring states could significantly benefit by cooperating with each other in trade and commerce.
Khan made the statement during a meeting with the speaker of Afghan House of Representatives (Wolesi Jirga), Mir Rahman Rahmani, who came to Pakistan along with a small delegation on the government’s invitation.
Several high-profile Afghans have visited Pakistan in the last few weeks to discuss the regional security environment and future possibilities. These include the chairman of High Council for National Reconciliation in Afghanistan, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, and the country’s former prime minister and leader of the Hizb-e-Islami party, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.
Given the antagonistic intra-Afghan environment, not all of the visitors from the neighboring country relish harmonious relations with one another. However, Pakistan has encouraged leaders of the war-torn country to work toward an inclusive and broad-based peace settlement.
Pakistan is also interested in greater regional connectivity and has frequently emphasized greater economic cooperation with its northwestern neighbor.
According to an official handout circulated by Pakistan’s foreign office, the prime minister welcomed the Afghan dignitary and appreciated increased exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries. He also “reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support to achieve peace and stability in Afghanistan,” adding that it would “benefit both countries by opening new avenues for cooperation and enhanced connectivity with the Central Asian Republics.”