Kabul has assured security to embassy staff, Pak citizens: FO

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office spokesman said on Thursday that the Afghan government has assured all possible measures to protect the Pakistan Embassy staff and citizens in Kabul.
Afghanistan, whose nearly three million refugees are still in Pakistan, is reluctant to accept their return, but continues to hurl unfounded allegations on Pakistan. On the question about consistent allegations, the spokesman said, “From time to time, we have been expressing our concerns at the allegations levelled by the Afghan government officials against Pakistan and the anti-Pakistan campaign by the Afghan media. Against this backdrop, security of our embassy personnel and premises in Afghanistan has become a matter of top priority for the Government of Pakistan. Accordingly, we have conveyed our concerns to the relevant authorities in Afghanistan. In response, we have been assured that all possible measures will be taken to ensure the security of our personnel and premises in Afghanistan.” The spokesman indicated that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was expected to raise the issue of Kashmir in his speech next month when he addresses the United Nations General Assembly and this time around it takes greater significance because of the reluctance of India to find ways and means to settle a lingering problem that is linked directly to the sufferings of the people of Kashmir.
Responding to a query, the spokesman said, “The prime minister’s speech to the UNGA session has not yet been finalised. However, his speech always contains a reference to Kashmir as an outstanding dispute that needs to be settled peacefully through dialogue.” The spokesman also ruled out any proposal presently at the table for a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. “I wish to underscore that we will keep the UN informed of all issues of concern to Pakistan. For example, our permanent representative in New York has briefed senior UN officials about the circumstances under which it was not possible to hold the meeting of the national security advisers of Pakistan and India,” added the spokesman.
As for the future, he said that now it was for India to indicate its position regarding the talks. “As far as Pakistan is concerned, we had very clearly stated that preconditions for talks were not acceptable,” said the spokesman.
However, despite the cancellation of the NSAs meeting, the DG Rangers and DG BSF will meet in New Delhi in September.
“Rangers and BSF officials have met in the past as well. They will be meeting again next month to discuss the ceasefire violations at the LoC and the Working Boundary,” said the spokesman. On the outlandish claims of Indian intelligence which has given wrong addresses as homes of Dawood Ibrahim, the spokesman said that he was not in Pakistan. “In this regard, I would like to draw your attention to a statement by Indian Minister of State for Home Affairs given in parliament a few months ago that the whereabouts of Dawood Ibrahim were not known. His statement vindicated our position,” said the spokesman.
Without naming any particular country, Pakistan has advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to countries in some Middle Eastern and African countries due to internal strife and actions of non-state actors and terrorists. “Countries facing such situations are well-known. Although, Pakistan missions in such countries are always forthcoming to help Pakistan nationals in distress, their ability to do so is often limited due to the prevailing situation, turmoil and instability,” he added.