Afghan president wraps up visit to Pakistan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai Tuesday wrapped up his extended visit to Pakistan, which focused on Islamabad's role in talks with the Taliban and the release of Taliban prisoners. Karzai was scheduled to conclude his daylong visit Monday evening but the visit was extended on the request by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to hold more meetings. Both leaders met in the scenic spot of Murree near Islamabad on Tuesday for the second time in two days. The two leaders discussed security situation of the region, the prime minister's office said. "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan and Afghanistan has to work closely to bring peace in the region," a statement said. He said that Afghanistan is a close neighbor and brotherly country, and the two countries are facing common challenges and huge opportunities. "Our security and future prosperity is linked to that of Afghanistan in multiple ways," Sharif said, adding Pakistan attaches importance to a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan. He reaffirmed Pakistan's strong and sincere support for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and said the region has witnessed conflict and instability for decades and it's high time to realize "our common positive agenda of peace and development." Afghan presidential spokesman, Aimal Faizi, said that Karzai had called for Pakistan's role in talks with the Taliban. He also said Afghan side had demanded release of all Taliban detainees in Pakistan.