Pakistan on Thursday confirmed it has handed over dossiers on presence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Swat chapter commander Mullah Fazlullah in Afghanistan to the Afghan government as well as International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).
Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Ahmad Khan stated this when asked during weekly press briefing whether Pakistan has officially requested the Afghan government to hand over Mullah Fazlullah who is believed to be behind the attack on Malala Yousafzai and the cross border infiltration from Afghanistan. "Let me tell you very clearly that we have shared dossiers on Mullah Fazlullah with the Afghan government, as well as with the Isaf," he said.
Regarding release of Afghan Taliban, he said the issue of Afghan prisoners was under consideration, adding that it was one of the issues that Pakistan and Afghan governments were trying to address. He, however, expressed ignorance over the reported request by Afghan Presidential spokesman Amil Faizi to government of Pakistan to issue visas to the Afghan Taliban leadership in line with initiation negotiations process for peace.
Responding a query on the status of Durand Line‚ the spokesman categorically stated that as far as Pakistan is concerned this is a closed and settled issue, adding that Islamabad regards Durand Line as an international border so does the international community.
When asked to comment on the statements by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Indian Home Minister that Pakistan is paying the price of exporting terrorism into its neighbouring states, the spokesman rejected the impression saying Islamabad's commitment to fight terrorism and extremism is beyond any doubt.
"I don't need to provide any justification or clarification on that. I think our actions speak louder than words in this regard", he said, adding that Pakistan wants to promote friendly relations with all neighbouring states including Afghanistan on the basis of mutual respect and common interest.
The spokesman invited Kabul for a mature and responsible dialogue between the two countries to resolve the issue and expressed the hope that the two sides would avoid conducting diplomacy through media. He said peace and stability in Afghanistan was in Pakistan's interest and expressed the confidence that issues between the two neighbours will be resolved through different channels of dialogue.
At the same time, the spokesman also rejected the impression that Pak-Afghan relationship was going through turmoil or some serious misunderstandings. "What I do want to reiterate is that Afghanistan's peace and stability is in Pakistan's core interest, and it is our desire to promote good neighbourly relations with Afghanistan," he added.
However, he said that Islamabad also felt that there were some issues, which both the countries want to address, as it is in our common interests. "There might be difference of opinion, but the objective is the same...We are both interested in peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said. As for as the issue of terrorism is concerned, he said that it was a common threat to both the countries, and the best way to solve the problem is through dialogue and consultation for which all channels of communication are available to both sides.
When asked about stance of two US presidential candidates on drone strikes‚ he said that Pakistan's stance on these strikes was very clear describing the attacks as illegal‚ counterproductive and violation of our territorial integrity. He admitted that both the countries share divergent views on the issue but hoped that this can be resolved mutually. The spokesman also made it clear that Islamabad will be dealing with whosoever is in the power in Washington. "Whosoever is in the government, we will be dealing with them. Of course elections are their internal matter and it is for the people of the US to decide who they want to see in government from 2013 onwards", he said, adding that Pakistan has good relations with the US and wants to further deepen them.
To another question about US Presidential candidate Romney assertion regarding ISI role in Pakistan, the spokesman said that Pakistan has a fully functioning democracy in place with the Prime Minister as the Chief Executive, and all institutions come under the Prime Minister.
To a question about the statement of President Obama on Abbottabad operation‚ he made it clear that fighting terrorism and extremism within Pakistani territory was responsibility of the government of Pakistan and it will not allow anybody else to assume this responsibility. About Pakistan's position on the Senkaku Island dispute between Japan and China, the spokesman said that Islamabad desires that both its friends address the issue through negotiations, and resolve it peacefully. He said Pakistan considers Japan as its best friend and China also an all-weather friend of Pakistan.