Pakistan has complete confidence in the wisdom of Afghan leadership. President Mamnoon

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ISLAMABAD Feb 08 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain has said that Pakistan and Afghanistan should keep a close eye on negative elements that fuel tension and spread misunderstandings with malicious intent towards achieving ulterior motives.

The President stated that Pakistan has complete confidence in the wisdom of Afghan leadership and people and it believes that they will play an important role in the journey towards progress and prosperity in the region, particularly in both countries, by thwarting all internal and external conspiracies. President Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan is keen to include Afghanistan in all opportunities for progress and prosperity with an open heart and expressed confidence that Afghan leadership, people and particularly the youth will play a historic role in sync with changed circumstances.

 

The President said this while addressing the Ceremony for Aghan National Students under HEC’s project “Award of 3000 Scholarships for Afghanistan” at Pak-China Friendships Centre in Islamabad on Wednesday.

 

The President said that Pakistan and Afghanistan are not only linked by geographical proximity but the two nations are bound by mutual ties of blood, culture, history and belief adding that our ancestors enjoyed close and warm relations standing on this common bedrock. The President expressed optimism that both countries will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder for the welfare of their people, as they did in difficult times in the past.

 

The President noted that our region has for long confronted issues of lawlessness, wars and extremism which affected both Pakistan and Afghanistan due to which countless human lives have been lost and the process of development come to a halt. He stated that the courage and determination with which both nations faced these issues is exemplary and unmatched in human history. The President said now that subversive forces are weakening by the grace of Allah, better sense should prevail to resolve regional issues with mutual understanding and brotherly zeal.

 

The President said that the purpose behind launching this scholarship scheme for young Afghan students was to provide them with the same educational facilities and opportunities as enjoyed by Pakistani students and hoped that they have benefited greatly from this opportunity and will play their part to further enhance brotherhood and goodwill between the two countries. The President said that it is our responsibility to work hard for the progress and prosperity of our people in search of a better future for our generations to come.

 

The President congratulated the scholarship winning students and hoped that they will be committed and devoted to hard work in their practical life. The President advised them to equip themselves with modern learning, scientific knowledge and technological skills and take their friends along in the process. The President hoped that as ambassadors between Pakistan and Afghanistan they will play their role in further cementing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

 

President Mamnoon Hussain underscored that Muslim countries should shun their differences and resolve issues amicably. He stated that Islamic countries should become united, extend cooperation to each other, exchange expertise in different fields, focus on acquiring science & technology and collectively address the issues being confronted by Muslim Ummah.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said that another 3000 scholarships for Afghan National students would be awarded soon adding that Afghan students are ambassadors of peace and love between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghanistan’s Minister for Higher Education Commission Farida Mohmand, Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed and two Afghan National students Ms. Samina and Syed Abdullah Qasmi also addressed the ceremony.

APP Hamza/VNS Islamabad