Track-II dialogue participants support Afghan elections

Participants of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Track-II dialogue have supported parliamentary elections in the war-torn country, slated for October this year.
The support was promised in a declaration issued at the end of the three-day dialogue, attended by officials from the two countries and journalists, in Islamabad on Saturday.
“We recommend that Pakistani media channels should be issued visas to travel to Afghanistan for coverage of Afghan parliamentary elections in October 2018,” the declaration said.
While stressing bilateral engagement to facilitate peace and security, the declaration urged effective operationalization of the Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).
The participants called for focus on the humanitarian dimension of the bilateral relationship to end violence for the dignified return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
Islamabad and Kabul were asked to overcome hurdles to trade by expanding economic links and trade cooperation.
Zardasht Shams, deputy head of mission at the Afghan mission, hoped Pakistan would help reduce violence in Afghanistan. A surge in Taliban violence could damage dialogue, he argued.