ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday said that it would not let anti-Pakistan elements active in Afghanistan succeed in their nefarious designs.
This was stated by Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal during his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday.
The spokesperson said there were multiple actors functioning in Afghanistan and the nexus between RAW and the terrorist groups in that country was involved in subversive activities against Pakistan.
The spokesperson said that multiple actors penetrating into ungoverned spaces inside Afghanistan were affecting the friendly relations between the two brotherly countries.
“Pakistan and Afghanistan need close coordination with each other for overcoming the scourge of terrorism. We are cognizant of certain elements and their nefarious intentions,” he said.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan condemned the heinous attack and killing of its diplomatic official Nayyar Iqbal Rana in Jalalabad. He demanded that the perpetrators of this act of violence be apprehended and brought to the justice.
Replying to a question, he said Pakistan had taken up the martyrdom of Nayyar Iqbal with the government of Afghanistan. The foreign secretary had summoned the Charge d’Affaires of Afghanistan as soon as the news was received, he said.
“We have asked for a thorough investigation of this incident to bring the perpetrators to the justice and expose the forces behind this heinous act. Also, we have requested to ensure protection and security of all Pakistanis and the diplomatic staff stationed in Afghanistan.”
He said the Afghan side had expressed its grief over the incident and assured us of their full cooperation.
“The Afghan president has made a phone call to the Pakistani PM. The Afghan National Security Adviser (NSA) also called the Pakistani NSA. The deputy foreign minister of Afghanistan sent a message to the foreign secretary. We are communicating at all levels regarding the issue,” he said.
He said Indian forces had martyred seven Kashmiri youth in the past week in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. “These youngsters were killed in Pampore, Pulwama, Uri and Kupwara areas. Two dozens of defenseless Kashmiris were also injured through use of brute force, bullets, teargas shells and pellets. The illegal house arrest and detention of Syed Ali Gilani, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Massrat Alam Bhat, Aasiya Andrabi and Fehmeeda Sofi continues under the draconian Public Safety Act,” he said. He said that Pakistan congratulated the two Kashmiri human rights activists, Parveena Ahangar and Imroz Parvez, for being awarded the prestigious Rafto Prize 2017, for their decades-long tireless efforts and struggle against India’s gross human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir. The award ceremony was held in Bergen, Norway. Replying to another question, he said issues of recent display of anti-Pakistan slogans on London cabs was raised by the Pakistani high commissioner in UK with the FCO and by the foreign secretary with the British ambassador in Islamabad.
“Transport for London (TfL) company promptly responded and ordered the removal of the same from the London cabs. We have been informed that an inquiry has been initiated into the matter. We have been assured disciplinary action against the perpetrators,” he said.
Regarding the NATO secretary general’s statement, Dr Faisal said that Pakistan had made unmatched sacrifices, both in blood and treasure in fighting against terrorism.
Published in Daily Times, November 10th 2017.
