MOSCOW – After meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov,Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif Tuesday said that terroristsanctuaries in Afghanistan pose threat to Pakistan and Russia.
Speaking at a news conference along with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrovin Moscow, he said Pakistan has not back out from the war againstterrorists, however, we cannot fight war of others on our soil. “Pakistancannot fight wars of others on its soil,” he added.
There is a terrible situation in Afghanistan, he added while stressingconcerns on the presence of the Islamic State and growing trade of poppy.He reaffirmed that the solution of the problem is in talks, and not amilitary operation.
The Minister said Pakistan has rendered unprecedented sacrifices in waragainst terrorism and we want peace and stability in the region.
Khawaja Asif said Afghan issue cannot be resolved through war as theTaliban has shifted to settled areas of Afghanistan.
Khawaja Asif said Pakistan wants to enhance bilateral relations with Russiain defence and trade sectors. He said Islamabad and Moscow share identicalstance on war against terrorism.
The Minister also expressed gratitude to Russia for support in granting ofmembership to Pakistan in Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Asif laudedthe role of both Pakistan and Russia in fighting terrorism.
Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif is on a four-day visit to Russia where he wasinvited by his Russian counterpart. Both leaders met in Moscow and briefedthe media persons after the meeting.
The leadership from Pakistan and Russia discussed current state ofbilateral relations and prospects for their development as well as toexchange opinions on topical issues on the international and regionalagenda, according to the Russian embassy in Islamabad.
The visit would provide opportunity to explore ways and means to furtherstrengthen cooperation in political, economic, trade and investment,defence, education and cultural fields.
Russia enjoys a special place in Pakistan’s foreign policy. The relationsbetween the two countries have been growing steadily in all fields. Regularhigh level exchanges between the two countries in the last few years is amanifestation of mutual desire of both sides for translating political goodwill into a substantive and multidimensional partnership.
The two countries are also celebrating the 70th anniversary ofestablishment of diplomatic relations this year.