Pakistan asks Afghanistan to stop provocative statements

Pakistan on Monday defended construction of security posts along the joint border with Afghanistan as Afghan officials have reported fresh clashes between the border troops of the two countries.

Pakistan Foreign Ministry said that the posts on Pakistan-Afghanistan border are serving the useful and mutually beneficial purpose of better border management, which is crucial for interdicting cross border undesirable activity.

Afghan officials claim that Pakistani forces have built posts on its side of the border and President Hamid Karzai said on Saturday that he had instructed his forces to destroy Pakistani constructions on Afghan soil.

Last week one Afghan soldier was killed and two Pakistani border troops were injured in clashes that heightened tension between the uneasy neighbours.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, reaffirmed the need to use bilateral channels including military to military contacts to resolve the issues relating to posts.

“In several high level interactions in recent past, the leadership of Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed on the imperatives of a mechanism for an effective border management for the mutual benefit of the two countries,” he said in a statement.

On President Karzai’s remarks regarding Pakistani posts on the border, the Spokesperson recalled that Pakistani post in Gursal had come under attack from Afghan forces and there had been several threatening and provocative statements made by Afghan leadership in this regard.

Responding to a query regarding President Karzai’s remarks that his country will never recognize Duran Line, which divides the two countries, the Pakistani Spokesperson said that Durand-line is a settled issue.

“Opening discussions on this issue is a distraction from the more pressing issues requiring the priority attention and cooperation of Pakistan and Afghanistan,” he said.

When drawn attention to the parts of the statement wherein the Afghan President urges Taliban to “turn and target” and “aim their weapons at” Afghanistan’s enemies, the Spokesperson stated that the continuing fight against terrorism and extremism warrants Pakistan, Afghanistan, and all other stakeholders to work together in a spirit of cooperation and harmony.

He recalled that President Karzai had in the past asked Pakistan to use its influence on the Taliban to enter into dialogue for reconciliation process. Pakistan had responded positively to that call.

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The Spokesperson added that Pakistan will continue its support for the Afghan reconciliation process, rather than focusing on the negatives.

Referring to President Karzai’s remark that he visited Pakistan 19 times, the Spokesperson said that Pakistan’s leadership has also travelled to Afghanistan several times to help build trust and strengthen bilateral relations.

Pakistan remains fully committed to assist in all sincerity to peace and sustainable economic development in Afghanistan, which we believe is in the vital interest of Pakistan and our region.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=40128

Posted by Tahir Khan on May 6 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.