By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai will arrive here Dec 26 for a two-day goodwill visit and talks on expanding multifaceted relations between the two countries and enhancing cooperation against terrorism and extremism.
“The visit, an expression of solidarity with Pakistan, is in response to the invitation extended by President Pervez Musharraf and the meetings are expected to focus on bilateral relations, reconstruction in Afghanistan,” Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq told a weekly briefing.
President Karzai will be the second head of state to visit Pakistan after Turkish President Abdullah Gul since the re-election of President Musharraf for a second term, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said President Musharraf extended the invitation to Afghan President when he went to Afghanistan in August 2007 to address the concluding session of Pakistan-Afghanistan grand jirga.
He said frequent exchange of visits between the leadership of the two brotherly countries is a hallmark of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
The spokesman said during his visit President Karzai will meet President Musharraf and Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro.
During the meetings, regional and international situation, war against terrorism and efforts to maintain peace in the region will also be discussed, he said.
The President and Prime Minister will also hold a banquet and a luncheon respectively for the visiting dignitary.
Replying to a question about the US budget approval by the House of Representatives and conditions attached to assistance to Pakistan, the spokesman said any conditionality attached to the assistance will serve no purpose.
The spokesman said Pakistan and US are partners for peace and stability and added that Pakistan will continue to engage with US on this issue. He however said it is not the end of the matter as there are many other steps to be taken before the finalization of the budget and Pakistan will continue its engagement with US.
On the issue of Rashid Rauf, wanted by UK, the spokesman said the initial investigation report by the Ministry of Interior was about to be released and it will be shared with the British government.
He said although UK is interested in Rashid Rauf, but Pakistan and UK do not have an extradition treaty and therefore he could not say anything about his extradition.
The spokesman said the High Commissioner of UK visited the Foreign Office on Wednesday but it was not related to Rashid Rauf case.
To another question, he said Pakistan will not allow any country to act in Pakistani territory against extremism. Pakistani forces will take such action as they are fully capable and willing to do that, he added.
When his attention was drawn to a statement of the Indian National Security advisor, the spokesman said Pakistan is not involved in any kind of terrorism or extremism in India and it will not allow its territory to be used for that purpose.
About suspension of Pakistan’s membership by Commonwealth, he said the decision was taken in haste without considering ground realities like restoration of the constitution and democracy. He said the Commonwealth will review the decision after the elections in Pakistan.
About the reports of refusal of visa to observers from Commonwealth, the spokesman said they have applied for visa and decision is still pending on their requests.