Rejects reports of Pakistani forces’ attack on Wakhan Belt
Abdul Hadi Mayar Islamabad
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the outgoing spokesperson of Foreign Office, on Thursday said Pakistan respected the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Afghanistan.
In her last media briefing, Baloch outrightly rejected social media reports about any attack by the Pakistani armed forces inside Afghanistan’s Wakhan Strip, a land extension in the east of Badakhshan province between Pakistan and Tajikistan.
She said Pakistan desired friendly relations with all the neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, and a dialogue was ongoing between Islamabad and Kabul.
“We will continue dialogue with the Afghan government on all aspects of bilateral relations, including the border situation,” Baloch said while responding a question about reports of attacks by the Afghan security forces from across the border.
“Pakistan believes in diplomacy and will continue to engage the Afghan government.”
Asked about attacked conducted by the Pakistani forces along Pakistan-Afghanistan border late last month, she said Pakistani troops carried out attacks in the border area only to thwart any terror threat.
“Any terrorists trying to enter the Pakistani territory will be responded. Our forces are fully prepared to defend the sovereignty of our territory,” she categorically stated.
The spokesperson was asked about Afghan officials describing Durand Line as a hypothetical border line. She said Durand Line was a recognized international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“This issue is even not on agenda in talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” Baloch clarified.
To a question about legitimacy of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, she said ‘we respect the choice of the people of Afghanistan. It is their right to decide their political dispensation.’ She said Pakistan is hosting millions of Afghan refugees for several decades, adding that Islamabad wanted the repatriation of the remaining refugees with honour and dignity. She said the Pakistani forces are carrying out operation only against those foreigners who are staying in Afghanistan without legal documents.
Asked about reports that the Afghan government was in the process of promoting its relations with India, Baloch said Pakistan respected the choice of the people and government of Afghanistan to promote bilateral relations with any country. However, she said, relations between Afghanistan and any other country ‘must not lead to any complication in Afghanistan’s relations with Pakistan.’
To a question about a report in an American newspaper about activities of Indian agencies inside Pakistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan condemned involvement of Indian agencies in terrorist activities inside Pakistan and elsewhere in the world.
Baloch said in its capacity as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council Pakistan will continue to uphold international law and UN Charter and will continue efforts for peaceful settlement of disputes. She said Pakistan will also continue to support and promote the UN peace keeping efforts in different parts of the world.
