Pakistan PM to visit Afghanistan on bilateral, regional matters

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Afghanistan on Tuesday at the invitation of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for talks on bilateral and regional matters, focusing on the country's role in the peace process, Pakistani foreign ministry said Monday.

This will be the prime minister's second visit to Afghanistan and the first after the installation of national unity government in Kabul. Earlier, the prime minister visited Afghanistan on Nov. 30, 2013.

"During the visit, the prime minister will have tete-a-tete with President Ashraf Ghani, who will also host a lunch for the prime minister," the foreign ministry said.

Other engagements of the prime minister will include a meeting with the Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and delegation- level talks with the Afghan side, a foreign ministry statement said.

"Building close cooperative relations with Afghanistan is a high priority in Pakistan's foreign policy and a vital component of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's vision of a peaceful neighborhood," it said.

The visit is taking place at a time when bilateral relations between the two countries are underpinned by unprecedented warmth, mutual trust and a shared vision of working in lockstep to build a peaceful and stable region, the ministry said.

The visit would further strengthen the positive momentum in bilateral relations and help intensify common endeavors in the pursuit of durable peace, stability and prosperity in the region, according to the statement.

The prime minister will be accompanied by Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Gen. Raheel Shairf, Chief of Army Staff, Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry and senior officials. Endi