Pakistan reiterates support for a strong, stable Afghanistan
By Our Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday reiterated that Pakistan supports a strong, secure and stable Afghanistan, which is not only in the interest of both the countries but also for the entire region.
Talking to the Commander of International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF) General David Richards who called on him, the President said that as a brotherly and neighbouring country, Pakistan is extending considerable assistance to Afghanistan for its reconstruction.
He mentioned various incentives that have been provided to boost trade relations between the two countries. He said during his recent meetings with President Karzai in Kabul and later with President Bush and Karzai in Washington, they discussed ways and means to expand cooperation between the two countries in various fields including the war against terrorism.
General Pervez Musharraf said that Pakistan is assisting Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism and extremism, besides hosting over 2.5 million Afghan refugees.
He also referred to the agreement in North Waziristan which was aimed at checking the activities of terrorists and militant Taliban.
The Commander of the ISAF said the primary purpose of his visit to Pakistan was to thank the President, the Government, Pakistan Armed Forces and security agencies of Pakistan for the excellent cooperation being extended in the fight against terrorism.
He said ISAF wanted to build on this and further expand cooperation to defeat the Taliban and terrorists.
He said that the ISAF fully appreciates that a vast majority of problems of Afghanistan emanate from within the country having deep roots as the country remained highly unstable for over two decades.
He said it is believed that Taliban activity was being funded through the narcotics trade and other criminal activities.
Vice Chief of Army Staff General Ahsan Saleem Hayat, High Commission of UK in Islamabad and Political Advisor of NATO in Afghanistan Terence Jagger were also present during the call.