ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Pakistan on Saturday said it had consistently pursued dialogue and constructive engagement with the Afghan Taliban, but would not allow what it called the \u201cpretence of dialogue\u201d to shield those threatening its people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The information ministry was responding to Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid\u2019s remarks in an interview with Al Arabiya English a day earlier, in which he said Afghanistan wanted dialogue with Pakistan and called for stronger mechanisms for intelligence-sharing and cooperation. He also welcomed a larger Saudi role in mediating between Kabul and Islamabad, saying Saudi Arabia was a friend of both countries and could play a \u201cpositive role\u201d in resolving their differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan also rejected Kabul\u2019s warning of \u201cretaliatory action\u201d if Islamabad carried out military operations inside Afghanistan, saying the Taliban regime should dismantle terrorist networks operating from its territory instead of \u201cdeflecting responsibility\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the interview, Mr Mujahid warned Pakistan against conducting military operations inside Afghanistan and said Kabul would defend its sovereignty against any such action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Responding to Kabul spox seeking talks, Islamabad says Afghan govt should dismantle terrorists operating from its territory<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also denied Islamabad\u2019s assertion that Afghan territory was being used by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf Pakistan invokes Article 51 to violate the sanctity of Afghan territory, Afghanistan has the right to defend its country, and we will do so,\u201d he said, warning of a \u201ccrushing response\u201d to any violation of Afghan sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan reiterated that it had the \u201cwill and capability\u201d to eliminate terrorist threats and would take all necessary measures, in accordance with international law, to protect its citizens, territory and sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan also linked the Afghan Taliban\u2019s warning to the deadly terrorist attack on civilians and police officials offering Friday prayers in Kohat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe strongly condemn the barbaric terrorist attack on civilians and police officials offering Friday prayers in Kohat,\u201d the ministry of information stated, describing the attackers as \u201cthe vilest of Khwarij with roots in Afghanistan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It said Pakistan had repeatedly raised concerns over the use of Afghan territory by Fitna al-Khawarij and other terrorist groups to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan. The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe presence of terrorist sanctuaries, alongside their recruitment and support infrastructure in Afghanistan, poses a direct threat to Pakistan\u2019s security,\u201d it said, adding that the concerns had repeatedly been conveyed to the Afghan Taliban regime and its interlocutors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ministry said the Taliban must dismantle the networks instead of \u201cdeflecting responsibility\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan also rejected Mujahid\u2019s assertion that Kabul did not allow the TTP to operate from Afghan territory or support armed groups targeting other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan said the Afghan Taliban had obligations under the Doha Agreement to prevent Afghan territory from being used to threaten other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It said it had noted the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs\u2019 condemnation of the Kohat attack and expression of sympathy for the victims\u2019 families, but regretted that the statement did not mention terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCondemnation must be matched by concrete action,\u201d the ministry said, calling on the Taliban to take \u201ccredible, verifiable and sustained measures\u201d to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries and disrupt recruitment and training networks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Pakistan on Saturday said it had consistently pursued dialogue and constructive engagement with the Afghan Taliban, but would not allow what it called the \u201cpretence of dialogue\u201d to shield those threatening its people. The information ministry was responding to Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid\u2019s remarks in an interview with Al Arabiya English a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":133446,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-133445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n