Terrorist attacks being launched by using Afghan soil: FO

 Says effective border management imperative
to stop cross-border terrorist movement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s enemies are taking advantage of the turmoil in Afghanistan and using its soil to launch terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil, said Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria during his weekly briefing on Thursday.

He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had issued instructions to deal with the terrorists with absolute resolve “which our valiant armed forces and other law enforcement agencies personnel are pursuing”. The government was taking concrete steps to deal with terrorists, he added.

To a question, Nafees said terrorism was a common enemy and affecting both Pakistan and Afghanistan, adding that effective border management was imperative to stop cross-border movement of terrorists.

He said Pakistan remained committed to peace and stability in Afghanistan and stressed the need for working together in Quadrilateral Coordination Group for bringing lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Answering a question, he said issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan needed to be addressed through constructive and positive engagements. Decision regarding opening of Pak-Afghan border would be taken in due course of time and tendency of blame game should be avoided, he added.

To a question regarding Indian involvement in the recent terrorist attacks to scuttle ECO summit, the spokesperson said concerned authorities were conducting investigations in the latest terrorist attacks. “We do not want to give immediate reaction, he added.

However, Nafees said Indian involvement in terrorist incidents and terror financing in Pakistan was well known. He said all the member countries had confirmed their participation in the summit to be held on the 1st of next month.

The spokesperson pointed out that Pakistan was the biggest victim of terrorism and suffered hugely in terms of lives and economic losses. He said India must realise that peace in the region was also in the interest of India.

He said defenceless Kashmiris in Occupied Kashmir continued suffering atrocities at the hands of Indian forces. “They have martyred 22 innocent Kashmiris in the first two months of 2017 which is condemnable,” he added.