ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has rejected the Afghan government’s statements accusing it of involvement in cross-border terrorism.
In her weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, the Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said that Pakistan has expressed dismay over the string of allegations by Afghanistan’s national security council and ministry of foreign affairs maligning Pakistan’s security institutions.
“Pakistan reiterates its categorical rejection of Afghan allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in terrorist attacks and cross-border shelling”, the Foreign Office spokesperson said.
“We also firmly reject any statements vilifying Pakistan’s commitment to fight terrorism,” she said.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said that as Pakistan has repeatedly emphasized, terrorism is a common enemy affecting the whole region and mutual efforts must be made by all sides for combating it effectively. Leveling baseless allegations serve no useful purpose, she added.
“It only benefits the enemies of peace and undermines the prospects of a cordial relationship between the brotherly people of Pakistan and Afghanistan”, she remarked.
Aslam said that the launch of military operation Zarb-e-Azb against the militants in the North Waziristan tribal region was the clearest reflection of Pakistan’s resolve to fight terrorism without any discrimination or distinction.
“The operation was based on Pakistan’s own national interest and backed by national consensus. To ensure optimal results, it was imperative that necessary steps were taken by the Afghan authorities on their side of the border in blocking the fleeing terrorists and eliminating terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan territory,” Aslam said.
The spokesperson further said that it was equally essential that effective measures are taken to strengthen border controls and surveillance.
Tasnim Aslam said that Pakistan was committed to building friendly relations with Afghanistan, based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
