ISLAMABAD, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday emphasized the need for closer cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan to effectively counter and completely eliminate the menace of terrorism and extremism.

    Addressing the inaugural session of a two-day Pak-Afghan mini peace jirga here, Qureshi said, "Both the countries have suffered immensely and continue to suffer at the hands of extremism, militancy and terrorism and the situation demands a joint and comprehensive strategy to cope with the situation to bring peace and stability in the whole region."

    Around 50 members from both countries are participating in the "jirga-gai" or mini-jirga, to explore ways for cooperation to deal with the threat of terrorism and extremism in both countries, according to News Network International (NNI) news agency.

    The meeting will review the process of implementation of decisions taken in the grand joint jirga held in Afghan capital Kabul in August last year and decide date for the next grand jirgato be held in Pakistan.

    "Together we are developing a forward looking vision of peace, prosperity and development of our peoples and the region," Qureshi said.

    "It is also a resolve of the government to cooperate closely with the brotherly people and government of Afghanistan in overcoming their difficulties emanating from terrorism," he said.

    The leader of the Afghan Jirga Abdullah Abdullah called upon the members of the jirga to put their heads together to devise a strategy for promoting peace as the people from both sides have attached great hopes from them to work for bringing peace and stability in the region, reported NNI.

    Both nations have to move together and explore opportunities for not only for them but for the whole region, he said, adding that both two countries had no choice but to work together in brotherly manner to achieve the common goal of peace.

    He assured that Afghan government would extend hand of cooperation to Pakistan to further strengthen ties between the two countries.

    The leader of the Pakistani delegation, Owais Ahmed Ghani stressed the need to focus with great sincerity to work for resolving the problems and bring peace. Dialogue is the only way to resolve the issue but it is a very complex situation that needs great sincerity and endeavors to overcome the challenge, he said.