Afghan President Hamid Karzai (L C) and visiting Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf (R C) review the honor guard in the presidential palace in Kabul Nov. 6, 2004. Musharraf arrived in Kabul on Saturday for a visit, during which the two leaders held talks on issues including fight against terrorism, Afghanistan's reconstruction and regional cooperation. (Xinhua Photo)

Afghan President Hamid Karzai (1st L) hosts a welcome ceremony for Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf (C) in the presidential palace in Kabul Nov. 6, 2004. (Xinhua Photo)

Afghan President Hamid Karzai (1st L) hugs visiting Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf in the presidential palace in Kabul Nov. 6, 2004.(Xinhua Photo)

Visiting Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf (L) bids farewell to reporters as Afghan President Hamid Karzai looks on after they end a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, 2004. (Xinhua Photo)

    KABUL, Nov.6 (Xinhuanet)--Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf on his visit after the landmark presidential polls in Afghanistan congratulated his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai for his victory Saturday afternoon.

    "It is my pleasure to be the first to be here in Kabul to congratulate President Karzai on successful elections," General Musharraf said at a press conference co-chaired with President Karzai in the fortified Afghan presidential palace. "We would liketo congratulate the whole nation of Afghanistan."

    Musharraf, the first foreign leader to visit the post-election Central Asian country, stressed the traditional and historical interdependence between the two neighboring countries in cultural,religious and economic spheres, and said the Pakistani government he leads is very proud to be providing help in the unprecedented historical presidential elections held in early October across Afghanistan as well as in refugee camps in Pakistan and Iran.

    The cooperation efforts led by two governments will continue, he vowed, and Pakistan can play a major role in post-war reconstruction of the war-ravaged country. The launch of infrastructure projects, Pakistan's role in upholding economic, commercial and trade promotions between the two neighboring counties are cited by him as the areas where a joint effort can bemade.

    One of the most important areas where the two countries have been vigorously engaged in, Musharraf said, is the fight against terrorism. "The success of fighting terrorism in Afghanistan is Pakistan's success, and our success in Pakistan will be Afghanistan's success," he said.

    "We both have to succeed for the sake of Afghanistan, for the sake of Pakistan."The two sides will beef up intelligence exchange in a bid to locate and identify areas of successful operation against terrorists, he told journalists.

    Afghan President Karzai on his part thanked his Pakistani counterpart for the help Pakistan had extended in holding balloting in refugee camps inside Pakistan.

    The Pakistani leader was accompanied by ranking officials including Governor of Pakistan's Northwest Frontier province and Balochistan province, Foreign Minister, Interior Minister, Minister of Tourism and Deputy Chairman of the Senate. This is hissecond trip to Kabul since Karzai took over office in late 2001.

    His first trip was highly symbolic which took place on April 2,2002. Enditem