ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday strongly rejected allegations leveled by Afghan president, saying Islamabad was taking action against all terror groups without any discrimination.
The Foreign Office statement, that came a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani criticised Islamabad for sheltering terrorists, renounced the allegations saying Pakistan does not differentiate between terror groups. “Pakistan condemns all forms and manifestations of terrorism and it is committed in the fight against this menace,” a statement issued by FO Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said.
“Pakistan itself is the biggest victim of terrorism in which thousands of our security personnel have sacrificed their lives.”
The spokesperson said Pakistan is making serious efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. “Pakistan hosted the first round of direct talks between Afghan government and Taliban but Pakistan alone is not responsible for bringing the Taliban back to the negotiating table,” he maintained. Zakaria said the Quadrilateral Coordination Group was constituted to achieve the objective of peace and stability in Afghanistan. “Peace in the neighbouring country is in the interest of Pakistan,” he stressed.
The development comes as the relationship between the two neighbouring countries deteriorates once again following a deadly attack on Afghan security agency headquarters in Kabul on April 19.
An Afghan presidential spokesperson had accused the Haqqani Network of planning the attack in Pakistan with help from foreign intelligence circles. Afghan Taliban had claimed responsibility for the attack.