Pakistan PM, Afghan peace envoy call for halt to cross-border attacks

Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and the visiting Afghan peace envoy, Salahuddain Rabbani, met in Islamabad on Monday and called for halt to cross- border shelling, which has caused tension between the two neighbors, officials said. Chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council, who began a three- day visit on Monday, called on the Prime Minister and discussed with him matters of bilateral interests, the PM office said. Both sides discussed the much-needed peace process in Afghanistan and Islamabad's key role for this purpose as well as the ongoing cross-border shelling. Pakistan said that Afghan forces fired mortars on its territory on Sunday and killed four civilians in South Waziristan tribal region. Islamabad lodged a formal protest against Afghan government over the incident. Dilating on the incidents of shelling on the borders both the leaders agreed that there should be increased coordination between the two countries to stop such incidents in future, a statement from the PM office said. The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the delegation during its current visit would hold discussions with Pakistani officials which will pave the way for closer relations between the two countries. The Prime Minister said that there is consensus in Pakistan that both Afghanistan and Pakistan should work together for peace in the region. Mr. Salahuddin Rabbani, Chairman Afghan Peace Council thanked the Prime Minister for inviting the High Peace Council to Pakistan. He said that the people of Afghanistan are grateful to the people of Pakistan for the assistance extended to them during their struggle against Soviet Union. The Prime Minister said that both the countries have to work together and leave a legacy for our coming generations. The Prime Minister assured the Afghan delegation that the government of Pakistan will do all what it takes for a peaceful Afghanistan. Salahuddain Rabbani, will also meet President Asif Zardari and military leadership during his visit, the Foreign Ministry said. He will also hold talks with leaders of Pakistani political and religious leaders to seek their support for the peace process.