Kabul: Afghanistan and Pakistan have overcome many hurdles and suspicions to forge a new relationship that will see cooperation on fighting terrorism and more, the Pakistani foreign minister said today.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters that a declaration on bilateral cooperation signed late yesterday, during Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's first official visit to Afghanistan, was a "watershed" in relations.

The document affirms commitment to fighting the extremism and militancy affecting both Islamic neighbours as well as building cooperation in a range of areas including politics, development, trade and education.

It marks a dramatic change from the often frosty relations that had existed between the countries before Zardari took office in September, replacing former president and military dictator Pervez Musharraf.

"It is a journey which has overcome many hurdles, suspicions and we have moved from finger-pointing to a relationship based on trust and confidence," Qureshi said, wrapping up the Pakistani delegation's visit.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai met Zardari soon after he arrived in Kabul yesterday and again over breakfast today before the delegation returned home, officials said.

Yesterday, Karzai hailed what he called a "new relationship" with Pakistan and said he and Zardari would work together and with the international community to combat extremists.

Source : PTI