ISLAMABAD: Blaming Pakistan for insurgency is unfair as Afghanistan itselfhas large swathes of ungoverned spaces that are leaving a vacuum for safehavens and terrorist sanctuaries, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr FaisalFriday said.
During weekly media briefing here, Dr Faisal said Afghan authorities haveshared intelligence regarding recent Kabul attacks and after looking intoit we will get back to them.
He said Pakistan shares intelligence with more than 70 countries.
“We are ready to push any suspected TTA & HN elements to prevent them fromusing our soil for any terrorist activity in Afghanistan.”
He said endless cycle of violence is consistent enemy of Afghanistan andpeace in the region cannot be achieved until ungoverned places inAfghanistan are dealt with properly.
“These ungoverned areas are used to flourish and launch attacks onPakistan”, he said.
He said peace in Afghanistan can only be achieved through an Afghan-led,Afghan-owned management. “It is totally up to Afghanistan to reckon how totackle insurgent groups within its area”, he added.
Replying to a question, he said Afghan authorities have shared intelligenceregarding recent Kabul attacks and after looking into it we will get backto them.
“Effective border management remains one of our prime objectives inpreventing cross-border terrorism,” he said.
Pakistan has constructed 975 posts along its border with Afghanistan, whileAfghanistan has built nearly 200 posts only, he informed.
Dr Faisal said Pakistan will never allow its soil to use it against anothercountry for terrorism. “Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms andmanifestations and stand with world to eradicate this menace, he added.
Replying to another question Pakistan’s foreign policy reflects the will ofpeople of Pakistan. “Pakistanis want long standing diplomatic, economic andsocial relationship with every country including Unite States (US) whateverthe difficulties both countries are having at the moment will be sorted outeventually. However, Pakistan must not be blamed for US’s failure inAfghanistan”, he reiterated.
He said Pakistan wants immediate and dignified return of Afghan refugees totheir country and international community must play its due role in therepatriation process.
Dr faisal said Pakistan strongly condemns the brutal and indiscriminate useof force by Indian forces that resulted in injuries to several in theGanowpora village of Shopian district in IoK. “Countering peaceful, unarmedprotesters with lethal weapons and direct bullets is another manifestationof the state-terrorism being perpetrated by India”, he said.
He said there are 91 Pakistanis captured in Sri Lankan jails from which 47have been convicted. “Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka is constantlyin touch with the prisoners and providing legal assistance to those whocan’t afford it’, he said.
He paid tribute to a Pakistani peacekeeper, Naik Naeem Raza who embracedshahadat as part of the UN peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic ofCongo. – APP