Karzai reaches Pakistan for two-day visit

June 10th, 2011 - 4:38 pm ICT by IANS  

Yousuf Raza Gilani Islamabad, June 10 (IANS) Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived here Friday on a two-day visit to Pakistan to discuss the reconciliation process after foreign troops withdraw from his country, officials said.

Karzai will hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

“President Karzai’s visit will contribute to further enhancing friendship and close cooperative ties between the two brotherly peoples and countries,” the Pakistan foreign ministry said.

Pakistani Sports Minister Shaukatullah received Karzai on his arrival. This is his second trip to Pakistan in 10 months.

The two countries would formally launch a Joint Commission on Reconciliation during the visit, said Omar Daudzai, the Afghan ambassador to Pakistan.

Karzai is being accompanied by a high-level delegation which includes the defence minister, interior minister, commerce minister and other top officials.

The Afghan ambassador said one of the objectives of the Joint Commission would be to pave the way for talks with the Taliban to end the war in Afghanistan.

The two nations would formally launch the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have increased contacts in recent months in view of the phased withdrawal of US troops starting next month.

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