ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has termed the recent remarks of the Afghan deputy foreign minister as \u2018against the spirit of friendly relations\u2019, and highlighted the need for interim Afghan authorities to take necessary steps to address international expectations and concerns.<\/p>\n
The views were expressed by Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar at the weekly media briefing here on Friday, in response to a question regarding the statement of Sher Abbas Stanikzai, a week after PM Shehbaz Sharif shared the concern of the international community regarding threats posed by terrorist groups operating from the neighbouring country, during an address to the UN General Assembly.<\/p>\n
The PM\u2019s speech, however provoked a sharp rebuke from the Taliban, with Stanikzai claiming on Sept 27 that Islamabad was \u201creceiving millions of dollars\u201d from Washington to allow American drones to conduct flights over Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long can we tolerate this?\u201d he asked a gathering in Kabul. \u201cIf we rise against this, no one will be able to stop us.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response to the question about his comment, the FO spokesman said: \u201cThis is very unfortunate and unacceptable. We have noted with concern, these recent remarks. We consider such statements as against the spirit of friendly relations between our two brotherly countries. Pakistan\u2019s role in facilitating peace in Afghanistan, and our efforts to strengthen bilateral ties are well known, and they are acknowledged widely.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that for the success of positive engagement, it is important that the interim Afghan authorities take necessary steps to address international expectations and concerns. For its part, Pakistan will continue to pursue positive engagement with Afghanistan for peace, prosperity, and progress of the two countries and the wider region.\u201d<\/p>\n
About the accusation of interference in Afghanistan\u2019s internal issues, the FO spokesman said, \u201cObviously there is no interference in Afghanistan\u2019s internal affairs. To the contrary, our Afghan friends are well aware of Pakistan\u2019s support and advocacy for Afghanistan, for the international community to engage positively and constructively with Afghanistan, given the serious challenges, the economic situation and the humanitarian situation that is faced by the Afghan people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has termed the recent remarks of the Afghan deputy foreign minister as \u2018against the spirit of friendly relations\u2019, and highlighted the need for interim Afghan authorities to take necessary steps to address international expectations and concerns. The views were expressed by Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar at the weekly media briefing here on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":286767,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-286766","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n