ISLAMABAD, 24 August 2004 — President Pervez Musharraf and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai vowed yesterday to increase cooperation in the war against terrorism during what was Karzai’s fourth visit to his South Asian neighbor.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism during formal talks at the start of a two-day visit. Musharraf said Pakistan would continue to assist reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. “The talks focused on ways to bolster cooperation in the on-going war against terrorism, the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections slated for October and April next year, Islamabad’s assistance in the ongoing reconstruction process in Afghanistan,” a Foreign Ministry official told DPA.
Bilateral trade amounted to nearly $1 billion during the period between July 2003 and June 2004, a total the two leaders hoped to increase by strengthening trade ties.
Karzai arrived in Islamabad yesterday for talks with President Musharraf on eradicating Al-Qaeda and Taleban fighters from their common border, a key issue in his bid for re-election.
Karzai, heading a top-level ministerial delegation, flew into Islamabad at 3 p.m. (1000 GMT) for a two-day visit at Musharraf’s invitation to discuss cooperation in rounding up militants and boosting economic ties. A 21-gun salute greeted Karzai as he alighted from his plane at the Chaklala air force base and two children in traditional Pakistani dress presented him with a bouquet.
Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri welcomed Karzai and the two men headed straight to the Foreign Ministry for talks. “The visit is part of ongoing high-level consultations between the two countries on all issues and will give further impetus to bilateral relations,” Kasuri told reporters at the air base.
“Pakistan fully supports ... the endeavors of President Karzai for national reconciliation, reconstruction and development.”
A week before his visit Karzai made a thinly-veiled attack on Pakistan, accusing Afghanistan’s “neighbors” of allowing militant fighters to cross the border to wage guerrilla attacks.
“I ask them not to allow terrorists to enter our country from their territory because their country’s security depends upon the security of the country in Afghanistan,” he said in an Independence Day address marking the departure of British forces 85 years before.
Analysts said success in curbing militant insurgency in southeast Afghanistan along the Pakistani frontier is important for Karzai as he prepares to run against 17 other candidates in landmark Oct. 9 elections. “Karzai’s visit is very important for him because of upcoming elections in Afghanistan,” foreign affairs analyst and former Pakistani diplomat Kamal Matinuddin told AFP.
