Thaindian News

Islamabad, Nov 19 (IANS) Pakistan had no hidden agenda in Afghanistan, says Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.

Khar Friday said Pakistan was only interested in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

Addressing a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle Friday, Khar said the onus lay on the Afghan people and it would be upto Kabul if they want Pakistan’s supportive role or not.

“We are part of the solution in Afghanistan and ready to play our due role in improving peace, security and development there,” Associated Press of Pakistan quoted her as saying.

She said Pakistan was being made a “scapegoat” in the Afghan crisis and was being criticised without any justification.

On ties with Germany, Khar said bilateral relations had improved substantially in the last few years.

She said there was tremendous improvement in trade between the two countries as its volume had risen to $2.2 billion, which was in favour of Pakistan.

She said investment from Germany to Pakistan had also increased and Germany was now the fifth largest foreign investor.

Guido Westerwelle said Germany was ready to cooperate with Pakistan and working together for the development of the economy as an equal partner.

The German foreign minister said the meeting with Khar was fruitful in terms of concrete discussions on several issues, including cooperation in energy, education and technical training.

He said Germany wanted to strengthen bilateral ties in diverse areas, including vocational training and education of youth.

“We will be supportive to a political solution of the Afghan problem,” he said.