Parliament Approves Ghani’s Statement at Heart of Asia Summit

Wolesi Jirga (lower house of parliament) praised President Ghani’s statements at the Heart of Asia Summit in Amritsar, India. Speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said today at the plenary session of  the Wolesi Jirga that President Ghani rejected an offer of aid from Pakistan. This is the first time that Afghan’s deep sorrow and pain have been articulated. Ibrahimi added that Pakistan’s blatant, destabilising interference in Afghanistan’s affairs is clear to all Afghans; therefore, the president’s remarks at the Heart of Asia summit yesterday are appreciated. Addressing Sartaj Aziz, advisor to the Pakistan prime minister, President Ghani said, “There is a need for fund to combat extremism. Pakistan generously pledged 500 million dollars for reconstruction of Afghanistan. This fund, Mr. Aziz, could very well be used for containing extremism because without peace any amount of assistance will not meet the needs of our people.”