PM asks Kabul to rein in terror groups

LONDON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday Afghanistan is a brotherly country but it is sad that its soil is being used for terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

He was speaking to reporters on Sunday outside the Avenfield flats where he arrived to meet the PMLN President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Nawaz has been in London for two weeks. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was also with the premier.

The trio held a meeting in the Park Lane flats and then left for a lunch.

Shehbaz said, “Afghanistan is our brotherly country and the two countries are neighbours by nature. We have to live as good neighbours. It’s up to us how we live cordially and in a friendly way. We have asked the Afghan interim govt several times that the Afghan soil should not be used as per the Doha agreement against Pakistan and its interests.”

“Sadly, terror groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) and other terror groups are operating from Afghanistan. They have killed innocent people inside Pakistan. These sacrifices of Pakistanis will not go in vain. My advice to Afghanistan is to rein in these terrorist groups.”

Shehbaz said he held great talks in Belarus with its leadership.

He said, “We had a great discussion in Belarus about Pakistan and Belarus and the opportunities that exist for both countries. We can benefit greatly from the expertise of Belarus in the area of agriculture.”

He further said, “Allah has given Pakistan When asked about the “Punjab speed,” the premier said, “There was Punjab speed and that was for Pakistan. Now its supreme Pakistan speed. We are working under the vision and leadership of Nawaz Sharif and implementing his vision. It’s a new Pakistan. It’s a progressing Pakistan, advancing and moving forward. This is our destination. We have saved Pakistan from economic default and prayers of the whole nation are involved. We will continue our efforts to protect Pakistan.”

The premier hoped that the overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad would be a great success.

“It has already started and it’s set to be a historic convention. Overseas Pakistanis will benefit from this. Overseas Pakistanis are coming home for this event.” Shehbaz and Dar will leave for Pakistan Monday morning.