Biden, Sharif back sovereign Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): The United States and Pakistan and welcomed the agreement on a unity government between Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah.

The White House said after a meeting between US Vice President Joe Biden and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the UN headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

A statement from the White House said: “The leaders welcomed the agreement reached among Afghan leaders on a unity government and affirmed support for a sovereign Afghanistan and a stable and peaceful region.”

Sharif updated Biden on Pakistan’s military operations in North Waziristan and affirmed their importance, the White House said.          

Earlier in the day, in his address to the UN General Assembly, Sharif congratulated the people of Afghanistan on the successful completion of the electoral process and offered his good wishes to the new leadership.

 “It is our earnest hope that these landmark processes would culminate in the emergence of a stronger, more stable, and unified Afghanistan. We also hope that the process of inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation would move forward, contributing to greater harmony, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan,” he said.

Pakistan remained committed to forging a deeper bilateral relationship with Afghanistan on the basis of equal security and shared prosperity, he said. The two nations confront common challenges, which call for greater cooperation and understanding, Sharif added.

“Afghanistan should become a pivot of strategic cooperation, rather than of rivalry. In the past year and a half, we have consciously reached out to Afghanistan to address difficult issues and build on convergences. We have made headway in this effort,” said the premier.

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