Islamabad, April 24 (IANS): Stability in Afghanistan is directly linked to peace in neighbouring countries such as Pakistan, a minister has said.

Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said this in a meeting with his Afghan counterpart Eklil Ahmed Hakimi on Sunday during which he apprised the latter of the economic situation in Pakistan, The News International cited a Finance Ministry statement as saying.

Dar highlighted the steps taken by the Pakistan government for enhancing the growth rate and putting the country on the path of sustainable economic growth.

He also condemned the terrorist attack on an Afghan army base in Mazar-e-Sharif city and reiterated that Islamabad was willing to work closely with Kabul to establish peace in the South Asia region.

He told Hakimi that strong economic ties between the two countries were necessary to achieve the goal of peaceful neighbourhood.

Both the ministers agreed to hold a meeting of the Joint Economic Commission of Pakistan and Afghanistan in the near future.