Sartaj Aziz fends off Afghan claims, pledges sincerity

PM's senior aide says indiscriminate action taken against terrorists during Zarb-e-Azb

Pakistan is making sincere efforts for peace in Afghanistan even as Kabul continues to blame Islamabad for its instability, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Sunday.

Aziz made these remarks during an interview to Radio Pakistan. His comments came a day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani accused Islamabad of continuing to distinguish between ‘good and bad terrorists’ as he excluded Pakistan from countries with whom Afghanistan has forged successful peace initiatives.



But Aziz reiterated a statement from the Foreign Office on Friday which warned Ghani against blaming Pakistan for all of Afghanistan’s failures.

“Kabul is continuously blaming Pakistan for whatever is happening there [in Afghanistan] due to social, economic and political instability,” Aziz said adding that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan since it is imperative for stability in Pakistan and the region.



“We are therefore trying that the peace process [led by the four-nation Quadrilateral Coordination Group] should continue,” Aziz said adding that Islamabad is extending every possible support to Kabul for peace and reconciliation in the war torn country.

“Pakistan is taking indiscriminate action against all terrorists during operation Zarb-e-Azb.”

Commenting on the violence in Indian Kashmir, Aziz said New Delhi cannot bury the issue till Kashmiris are granted right to self-determination.



“Pakistan strongly condemns the Indian forces brutalities’ in the held Kashmir during the last two days.” He added that India was committing serious human rights violations in the disputed valley by suppressing the voice of Kashmiris.

Aziz, though, insisted that Islamabad wants to resolve all issues with New Delhi via talks. “Pakistan wants to resolve all outstanding issues with India through composite dialogue.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2016.