Pakistan on Thursday categorically rejected an Afghan accusation in the UN Security Council about the existence of terrorist sanctuaries on Pakistani soil, saying peace and stability in Afghanistan is a key constituent of Islamabad's foreign policy.
"I reject most emphatically (Afghan) Ambassador (Zahir) Tanin's argument - root, trunk and branch - that terrorist sanctuaries exist in Pakistan and some elements continue to use terrorism as an instrument of foreign policy," Pakistan's UN Ambassador Masood Khan said during the 15-member Council's debate on the report of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
"No, sir, this is not true; and you know this is not true," he said looking towards his Afghan counterpart. "And this is not good diplomacy. By using such arguments, you cast aspersions on our sincerity. "In Pakistan, we do not operate as elements, but as a whole, as one state. All institutions of the state have consensus that terrorism is a threat to both Pakistan and Afghanistan and therefore both countries should work together to eliminate this scourge." Masood Khan drew attention to Prime Minister Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif 's declared commitment to strengthen ties with Afghanistan covering the entire spectrum of political, economic, defence, educational and cultural relations, and said Pakistan's newly elected leadership resolve to fully support Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and national reconciliation processes.
"Peace and stability in Afghanistan is a key constituent of Pakistan's foreign policy, which is supported by all state institutions," the Pakistani envoy told delegates from around the world sitting around the horse-shoe table. "The success of this policy requires reciprocity, trust and goodwill," he said. Earlier, taking part in the debate, the Afghan ambassador spoke of about continued acts of terrorism in his country, saying the people of Afghanistan "are still the main victims of this heinous (that) continue to exist in Pakistan's soil and some elements continue to use terrorism as an instrument of foreign policy."
"This kind of contentious polemic is disingenuous, as Pakistan and Afghanistan communicate through multiple political, military channels to address all bilateral issues," the Pakistani envoy said. "Pakistan's own stability and prosperity depend on peace and security in Afghanistan. This sense of shared destiny drives our ties with Afghanistan. Stability in Afghanistan will also usher in a new era of co-operation and connectivity in the region." Masood Khan said, "I have not rebutted (Afghan) Ambassador Tanin's argument as a tit-for-tat response or to settle scores. I have said this to highlight that terrorists operate on both sides of the porous border. Many attacks against Pakistan are planned on Afghan soil. That is why we need more aggressive policing and surveillance of the border. This will also help stop the shelling. We must not allow terrorists manipulate and divide the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan... "We must build political trust.
The joint commission, chaired by Pakistan's Prime Minister and the President of Afghanistan, is the best forum for pursuing this objective. "The Tripartite Commission, comprising Pakistan, Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), met earlier this month in Rawalpindi to discuss border controls and co-ordination along the international border. "Stability and sanctity of Pakistan-Afghanistan border is a shared responsibility. Robust deployment of Pakistani troops on our side is meant to interdict terrorists and criminals.
For optimum results, this must be matched from the other side. "Bilateral channels, including military and intelligence contacts, to resolve issues relating to the border posts should be made more effective. Any misunderstanding should be addressed through real time communication and dialogue. "We assure the (UN) Secretary-General (Ban Ki-moon) that Pakistan is doing its utmost to build trust and prevent confrontation. We agree with him that inflamed public sentiment is not helpful at all." Noting that Afghan security forces formally had taken over security leadership and that the Taliban opened had an office in Doha promising to negotiate, he said, "We congratulate the Government and people of Afghanistan on transfer of security responsibility to the Afghan forces.
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