ISLAMABAD/JALALABAD , 14 September 2006 — Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said yesterday Pakistan wanted to boost relations with Afghanistan and actively participate in its development. “We wish to improve the environment of trust and share progress with our neighboring Muslim country,” said Aziz.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 75-kilometer Torkham-Jalalabad Highway which was constructed by the National Highway Authority of Pakistan to facilitate land trade and travel, Aziz said Pakistan was playing an important role in Afghanistan’s development.
“We have allocated $250 million for different projects in Afghanistan. A strong, stable and vibrant Afghanistan is in favor of Pakistan,” he said.
The Torkham-Jalalabad Highway has been constructed at a cost of 2,065 million rupees. The work on the project began in February.
Later Aziz and Afghan President Hamid Karzai held a meeting also attended by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Aziz said, “The two leaders discussed regional and bilateral situation. They agreed to further promote economic and trade relations.”
President Karzai flew from the capital, Kabul, under tight security to join Aziz for the inauguration of the road project.
Relations between the two major US allies in the “war on terrorism” have been strained over Afghan complaints that Taleban insurgents get help on the Pakistani side of the border.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf visited Kabul last week and both he and Karzai agreed to work more closely together to fight “terrorism,” and in particular to stop militants crossing their common border.
Yesterday, Karzai praised Pakistan’s contribution to Afghanistan’s reconstruction, stressing the importance of good ties.
Hours before the leaders arrived, two rockets were fired at Jalalabad. One landed near the airport while the second hit close to a court building in the heart of the city.
