www.thefinancialdaily.com  Pak-Afghan trade target set at $15bn To be achieved by the year 2015 Anti-terror war to continue: Gilani,  We don't  want proxy wars: Karzai ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to boost bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2015.  A Joint Declaration issued at the end of two-day visit of President Hamid Karzai on "Next Steps in Afghanistan-Pakistan Comprehensive Cooperation" expressed determination of the two sides to realise the full potential of their vast human and natural resources for the progress and prosperity of their people. "The bottom line is, Afghanistan does not want any proxy wars on its territory," Karzai told a news conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Karzai said India was a very close friend and had given much support but Pakistan was like a brother. Speaking on the occasion Gilani said that war on terrorism will stay in full swing until the last of the gun-slinging insurgents is out there. According to details the two countries agreed to develop communications network and enhance cooperation in education, agriculture, and energy sector. Both neighbours agreed to evolve joint strategies for early implementation of trans-Afghan energy projects, with particular focus on CASA-1000 and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Gas Pipeline. The Joint Declaration signed by the two foreign Ministers Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Dr Zalmai Rassoul agreed on developing a plan for strengthening road, rail, and air connectivity and upgrade existing facilities. The two states agreed to expedite completion of Peshawar-Jalalabad Expressway and feasibility study of Peshawar-Jalalabad rail link. Pakistan and Afghanistan also agreed to undertake joint studies on promotion and facilitation of multi-modal transport to operationalise transport corridors on mutually agreed routes along with increasing aviation and road links to more destinations. They also agreed to develop plans of action for customs harmonisation and trade facilitation to improve bilateral trade pledging enhancement of trade to $15 billion by the year 2015. The two sides also agreed to set up Silk Route CEOs Forum, Pakistan-Afghanistan Reconstruction Consortium, and pooling public-private corporate resources for reconstruction and development. It was also decided to explore establishment of a Joint Investment Company to undertake development projects, including initiatives to develop region's vast mineral and hydel wealth and also to consider setting up Economic and Industrial Zones. The two countries decided to enhance the number of scholarships for Afghan students in Pakistani educational institutions from the current 1000 to 2000 and to make special arrangements for female Afghan students. It was also decided to set up an Institute on Management, Business Administration and Faculty Training in Afghanistan.  On agricultural sector the two agreed to focus on food processing, consider creation of a Pakistan-Afghanistan Food Bank to strengthen food security, initiate joint research in agriculture and crops substitution programmes. They also decided to initiate comprehensive dialogue on environmental protection and mitigating impact of climate change. Pakistan and Afghanistan also agreed to further strengthen people to people contacts, and promote exchanges among intellectuals, parliamentarians, journalists, academia and students.  The two countries also reaffirmed their mutual commitment to respect each other's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, consolidate good neighbourly relations, and uphold the principles of the United Nations Charter..-APP