*ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office said that the ongoing talks with the outlawedTehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Kabul are aimed at prevailing peace onthe borders as well as within the country and any step as a result of thetalks would be within the ambit of the Constitution of Pakistan.*
Speaking at his weekly briefing in response to media queries, ForeignOffice spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said that Pakistan taking steps and itwould continue to undertake the measures which also include engagement withthe Afghan interim authorities and others, to have peaceful and stableborders.
He said that it is in the interest of the neighbouring countries to havepeaceful and stable borders, adding that counterterrorism is also a sharedresponsibility.
When asked whether certain demands of the TTP are doable such as thereversal of the FATA’s merger with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as one of the keydemands, the spokesperson declined to comment, saying that the dialogueprocess is continuing for achieving the objective of peace and stability.
“While it is not for me to share details, but you are aware there is aprocess which is there, whose objective is peace, and we hope that it leadsto an outcome that ends violence by these groups. We hope that any progressthat takes place would lead to fulfilment of that objective,” he added.
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When his attention was diverted towards the social media trend – “No MoreTaliban” – being run by the people mainly from the tribal districts, hesaid that as a result of the talks, any step required to be taken, would bewithin the ambit of the Constitution.
“I think I just gave my message and it is a broader message, verystraightforward message that we are taking steps and we will continue totake steps, this also includes engagement with the Afghan interimauthorities and others and the objective, basically, is to have peace andstability. That is the key objective and any steps are to be in accordancewith that, and under the ambit of Pakistan’s law and Constitution,” thespokesperson added.
About the threat of terrorism and cross border attacks from Afghanistan, hesaid Pakistan has consistently raised such issues with the interim Afghanauthorities and it is hoped that they will be taking steps to address theseconcerns.
