By Shahabullah Khan 

PESHAWAR (TSAT) - Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to enhance trade and economic ties and complet the three main energy and communication projects that would link the Central Asian Republics with the Arabian sea.

The agreement came during the meeting of the Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Moeed Yusuf with Taliban government leaders during his two-day visit to Kabul.

NSA Yusuf along with Special Envoy for Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq and senior officials from relevant Ministries arrived in Kabul on Saturday. He was the second high Pakistani official to visited Afghanistan after the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who travelled to Kabul in October last year after Taliban took over the power. 

During his stay in Afghan capital, he met with Afghanistan’s Acting Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdus Salam Hanafi and the Acting Foreign Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi  and other officials and discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries, according to official statement, issued from NSA office.

“The objective of the visit was to discuss with Afghan leadership the humanitarian requirements of the country and Pakistan’s proposals for deepening economic engagement to overcome the current challenges Afghanistan is facing,” its said.

The two countries agreed to establish a National Level Coordination Mechanism for enhancing facilitation at Border Crossing Points and initiate barter trade, modalities for which will be worked out immediately, according to the official statement.

"NSA Moeed Yusuf and the accompanying inter-ministerial delegation depart Kabul after a productive visit. The bilateral interaction during the visit focused on increasing facilitation in humanitarian engagement, trade, transit & people to people contacts," Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Pakistan ambassador to Kabul tweeted.   

During the visit, Pakistan offered Afghanistan capacity building and training support in multiple sectors including Health, Education, Banking, Customs, Railways and Aviation,  among others.

Both sides also reiterated their commitment to early completion of the three major connectivity projects, CASA- 1000, TAPI, and Trans-Afghan Rail project, that would connect Pakistan and Afghanistan with Central Asian Republics and also fulfil their energy requirements. 

Pakistani top security official also thanked the Taliban government for their warm hospitality during their visit and stay in Kabul.

During his visit, the NSA also visited to Jinnah hospital Kabul, built by Pakistan where the hospital administration briefed him about the facilities and  challenges due to the financial situation.

Moeed assured the hospital administration that Pakistan side will continue support to the hospital.