ISLAMABAD:Pakistan and Afghanistan have stressed the importance of removing impediments for enhanced regional economic integration and connectivity.

This understanding was reached during a meeting between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi in Islamabad on Sunday.

The two sides held a candid and in-depth exchange on key issues of mutual concern, including peace and security, as well as trade and connectivity. They reaffirmed their desire to pursue continuous and practical engagement.

On peace and security, both the Foreign Ministers emphasized the need for enhanced coordination to counter terrorism and deepening bilateral cooperation.

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan also hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting Afghan delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is pertinent to mention that the Acting Afghan Foreign Minister and the Acting Afghan Minister for Commerce and Industry, with high-level delegations, are on a four-day visit to Pakistan to be concluded on Monday.

Besides holding bilateral meetings, the Acting Afghan Foreign Minister also participated in the 5th China-Pakistan-Afghanistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue yesterday, with the participation of the Chinese Foreign Minister, where the three sides agreed to advance political engagement, counterterrorism cooperation and enhance trade, investments and connectivity under the trilateral framework.