Daesh on Afghan soil threat to Pakistan: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has conveyed to the US leadership that the presence of Islamic State (Daesh) in Afghanistan is a threat to Islamabad and to counter this menace, effective border management is necessary.

As the Trump administration prepares to announce its policy review on Afghanistan and the region, it has nevertheless, emphasised on the importance of a strong partnership between Washington and Islamabad, while Pakistan says it is looking forward to a ‘comprehensive’ US political strategy.

The US acknowledges Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, while reiterating that the objective of bilateral cooperation was to seek a stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan.The assurance came during a meeting between Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Alice Wells, the visiting acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs and Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, at the Foreign Office on Thursday.

“We consider it an important visit, which provides us an opportunity to discuss the bilateral relations and share our perspectives on Afghanistan and the broader issues related to the region. All issues were discussed including the outstanding issue of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as comprehensive discussions in the context of the situation in Afghanistan,” spokesman at the Foreign Office told the weekly media briefing.

Secretary Wells was also brought up-to-date on the importance of ceaseless Indian atrocities and grave human rights violations committed by the Indian occupation forces against defenceless Kashmiris in IHK.

Ambassador Wells agreed on the importance of a strong partnership between the United States and Pakistan and gave the American perspective on how to move forward this relationship in the coming years.

Foreign Secretary Janjua shared Pakistan’s perspectives on challenges confronting the region including the security situation in Afghanistan and hoped that the ongoing US review would result in a comprehensive political strategy to promote reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan and the region.

Ambassador Wells was assured that Pakistan supports all initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable peace and security in the region and emphasised that a strong partnership with the United States was critical in achieving these shared objectives.

“It is our firm belief that peace in Afghanistan is extremely important for the security of the entire region, more so, for the Afghans. It is important that all efforts should be geared towards a politically-negotiated settlement under an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process. Pakistan remains ready to extend full assistance to that end,” the spokesman added.

The visiting US delegation was informed by Pakistan about the overall gains that Pakistan has been able to make in the last few years in line with the priorities set by the government. These measures include overcoming energy shortfalls; stabilising and setting the economy on the path of sustained high growth; and an enabling security environment through vigorous counter terrorism operations.

To a query regarding the continuing India-China military standoff near Bhutan’s borders, the spokesman commented, “We have noted Indian violations. We are concerned at the increasing Indian belligerence in the region, which is endangering regional peace and stability. Maintaining regional peace is the responsibility of all the countries. Pakistan has always desired peace and prosperity in the region. It is in the interest of all the countries of the region to work for regional peace and cooperation.”

Defending its human rights record, since it is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the spokesman remarked that as a democratic state, Pakistan continues to make progress in the area of human rights. “We have taken a series of legislative and policy measures, established various institutional mechanisms in this important field. Like anywhere else in the world, this is work in progress,” he added.

On different aspects of relations with Afghanistan, the spokesman said that the way forward was effective border controls and border management which are imperative to curb cross-border movement of terrorists, drug and human smugglers.

“Pakistan stresses on effective border management. In this regard, we have undertaken various measures that include plugging of gaps, infrastructure development of crossing points and other measures. Our efforts for border management are aimed at facilitating movement of people, trade and transit and curbing the movement of undesired elements,” said the spokesman.