Pakistan shares dossier on Fazlullah with Afghanistan
26 October, 2012
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesman Moazzam Khan on Thursday said Pakistan shared dossier on Taliban commander Mullah Fazlullah with the Afghan government, as well as with the ISAF. He was responding to questions in his weekly press briefing in the Foreign Office. Afghan officials had rejected Presence of Mullah Fazlullah, alleged for carrying out cross border attacks against Pakistani forces after he was ousted from Swat as a result of successful military operations and the person reportedly responsible for killing attempt on peace icon Malala Yousufzai. To a question regarding Kabul protest over the statement of US Special Envoy Grossman saying Durand Line was an international border, the spokesman clarified that the Durand Line was a closed and settled issue. "We regard it as the recognised international border, and the international community also recognises it so." To a question about a recent statement by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Indian officials, he said that Pakistan's commitment to fight terrorism and extremism was beyond any doubt and there was no need to provide any justification or clarification on that. "I think our actions speak louder in this regard." Such statements from Afghanistan were noticed and Pakistan wanted to promote friendly relations with all neighbouring states, including Afghanistan on the basis of mutual respect and common interest. "We would like to have a mature and responsible dialogue between the two countries. And we hope that we avoid conducting diplomacy through the media." However, he dispelled the impression that Afghanistan going through some turmoil or some serious misunderstandings. He reiterated that Afghanistan's peace and stability is in Pakistan's core interest, and it is its desire that to promote good neighbourly relations with Afghanistan. To a question On Mullah Omar's statement in which he appealed neighbouring governments to release Afghan Taliban prisoners, he said that the issue of Afghan prisoners is under consideration. "This is one of the issues that Pakistan and Afghan governments are trying to address." There are some issues and "we both want to address those issues, as it is in our common interests to do so. We should handle these issues diplomatically and keep them away from the media". He said might be difference of opinion, but the objective is the same. And the two countries interested in peace and stability in Afghanistan. Terrorism is a common threat, and the best way to solve bilateral issues is through dialogue and consultation and all channels of communications are available to both sides, he added. On Obama statement regarding hitting Osama Bin Laden, he said that Pakistan's position on the OBL incident was clear and it made it very clear immediately after the incident as well, that fighting terrorism within Pakistan's territory is Pakistan's responsibility "and we don't want anybody else to take over our responsibility". "Let me also say that our relationship with the US is broad based and we are keen to strengthen it further." On drone attacks and ties with the US, he said, "You may have difference of opinion between friends, so it remains a bilateral issue. There is a divergence of views, but we feel that this issue can be resolved bilaterally, and that is what we are trying to do." End.
|
