*ISLAMABAD:* Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua said on Thursdaythat Islamabad and Washington were engaged at high-level to promote mutualunderstanding and discuss ways on how the two countries could work togetherfor the common goal of regional stability, including peace in Afghanistan.
Speaking separately to Washington-based Pakistani and foreign media, theforeign secretary briefed them about her current official visit to theUnited States (US) which, she said, was the continuation of engagement withthe US.
“The recent high-level exchanges between the two countries are meant tobetter understand each other’s perspective,” the foreign secretary saidwhile adding that Pakistan and the US had been successful partners infighting terrorism and eliminating Al-Qaeda.
She reiterated Pakistan’s strong resolve to eradicating terrorism in allits forms and manifestations from its soil.
Janjua said that peace in Pakistan was linked to peace and stability inAfghanistan and Islamabad supports an Afghan-led and Afghan-ownedreconciliation process to bring peace to the war-torn country.
The foreign secretary expressed concerns over the presence of anti-Pakistanelements in Afghanistan and said that they were using the safe havens inthat country to carry out terrorist activities in Pakistan.
She said that the government was trying best to control the border throughthe border management to prevent illegal cross-over but there was nosupport from the other side of the border. She also said that blamingPakistan for problems in Afghanistan served no purpose.
Junjua said that in her meetings with US officials, she apprised them ofPakistan’s concern over the border management and the existence of safehavens in Afghanistan being used by terrorists against Pakistan. She saidthat the US officials had a complete understanding of our concerns and haveassured to help us address them.
Foreign Secretary Janjua also told the newsmen about an upcoming conferenceof Islamic scholars being held in Indonesia which will also be attended byover a dozen Pakistan ulemas. The conference is expected to issue a fatwaagainst the use of a country’s soil for carrying out attacks in othercountries.
Replying to a question about the prevailing tension between Pakistan andIndia and cross-LoC firing, the foreign secretary stated that India wastrying to create tension along the LoC to divert world attention frominternal strife. – APP