He was speaking at a ceremony held to inaugurate of the first phase of Jalalabad-Torkhom road and to start its second phase here on Tuesday. Pakistan has built the first phase of the road in which the existing road was rebuilt and in the second phase the road would be dualised with the cost of Rs 3.5 billion.
Shaukat said that Pakistan is playing a very active role for rebuilding of Afghanistan and providing its assistance to build infrastructure in this country especially in education and health sector.
He said that being Muslim countries Pakistan and Afghanistan are bound in historical, religious and cultural long lasting relations.
He said that Pakistan believes that a strong and peaceful Afghanistan is in favour of Pakistan and it would continue its efforts for the rebuilding of Afghanistan.
He said that the buildings of road and rail track would increase the trade activities between the both countries, which would strengthen already strong relations among the people of both sides.
He appreciated the efforts of FWO, Pak Army engineers, National Highway Authority and other concerns for completing the first phase of the project in record time.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai thanked the government of Pakistan for providing assistance for the rebuilding of Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan always provided its co-operation and help for Afghan government and its people. "We cannot forget Pakistan assistance provided to the millions of Afghan citizens during their migration," he mentioned.
Afghan President Karzai said that the construction of road between Pakistan and Afghanistan would increase the trade activities between the two countries.
He said that he believes that any nation cannot progress without education and thanked Pakistan for its assistance in education sector in Afghanistan.
He said already strong relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan would be strengthening with the passage of time.
Gul Aga Sherzai, Governor, Nangerhar province, said that the people of this province thank Pakistan for construction of road.
Afghan Minister for Public Works, Sorab Ali Safari also spoke on this occasion and briefed about the importance of this road. He informed that over 14,000 vehicles run on this road daily, which indicates the importance of this road for trade activities between the two countries.
Hamid Karzai presented Ghazi Mir Masjidi Khan Award to Farrukh Javed, Chairman NHA and Major General Asif Ali, DG, FWO and Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan award to Chaudhry Karamat of Nespak for their tremendous efforts and contribution for construction of Jalalabad-Torkhom road.
Earlier, Hamid Karzai, ministers and other Afghan high officials welcomed Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the members of Pakistan high-level delegation at Nangerhar Airport with open arms. Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani, Communication Minister Shamim Siddiqui, Chairman National Highway Authority, DG, FWO, former governor NWFP Commander Khalil-ur-Rehman (Retd) and the high official of NHA, FWO were in the delegation.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Afghan President Hamid Karzai jointly laid the foundation stone of the second phase of Jalalabad-Torkhom road project and inaugurated the first phase of the project.