Afghan attacks: Sartaj rejects Kabul’s ‘baseless’ allegations

Says levelling allegations only signifies a tendency to externalise the internal challenges faced by Afghanistan

NEW YORK/ ISLAMABAD: Sartaj Aziz rejecting Afghanistan’s allegations said that the accusations made against Pakistan by certain elements inside and outside the neighbouring country, were baseless and unfounded.

Prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs stated that the accusatory approach was instigated by those who had no interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan and their malicious agenda was to damage relationship and cooperation initiatives between both the countries.

“Pakistan has condemned the Kabul terrorist attack in strongest terms. Being victim of terrorism, we feel the pain and agony of the Afghan people,” the adviser said.

He further said that Afghanistan faced serious internal challenges including growing violence caused by insurgency, expanding foothold of Da’ish and other terrorist groups exploiting the country’s ungoverned spaces. Increasing drug production and trafficking provides financial support for sustaining terrorism and militancy.



“Combating these huge challenges requires strengthening of its security network. Levelling allegations against other countries only signifies a tendency to externalise the internal challenges faced by Afghanistan,” Sartaj underscored.

He emphasised that Afghan authorities should undertake a transparent investigation into the incident in order to make a determination about the perpetrators of the attack based on concrete evidence. Pakistan supports any such investigation.

“We in Pakistan are convinced that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan. Pakistan has, therefore, continued to reaffirm its strong support to the efforts for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan,” the adviser reiterated.

“Pakistan’s human and financial sacrifices in fighting the menace of terrorism have been widely recognised. The international community has also appreciated the remarkable success of our counter-terrorism efforts which have effectively targeted terrorists without any discrimination. The results of our effective counter-terrorism campaign are visible in a peaceful domestic environment,” he underscored.



The adviser underlined that strong bonds of religion, culture, history and geography bind the peoples of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“Pakistan has always stood with the people of Afghanistan in their difficult times. For the past four decades, millions of our Afghan brothers, facing unstable conditions in Afghanistan, have lived in Pakistan with dignity and honour.

“Pakistan has also been making important contribution in assisting Afghanistan in vital social and economic areas. Millions of Afghan children have received education in Pakistan. Thousands of them are working in Afghanistan for their country’s progress and development,” he added.

He said the hateful campaign being launched by detractors was unhelpful and detrimental for the close harmony and cooperation required for pursuing joint efforts for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.



Separately, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi has urged the government in Kabul to focus its attention to overcome the deteriorating security situation in the war-torn country instead of blaming Islamabad for every incident.

“We are ready to help address the shared threat of violent extremists to the region but Afghanistan should desist from externalising its internal problems,” the UN ambassador told Voice of America.

“The surge in violence in Afghanistan seems to indicate the spreading influence of Islamic State about which we have long warned,” she said, adding that the rapid slide in the security situation is troubling not only for Afghanistan but also all its neighbours.

Referring to the May 31 truck explosion that reportedly killed nearly 100 people near the presidential palace and foreign embassies, Dr Maleeha said: “The ability of violent groups to infiltrate Kabul’s green zone also suggests insider connections which are even more worrying.”

The ambassador went on to say that the timing of the attacks on Kabul suggests those who carried them out want to sabotage any renewed effort towards a negotiated peace. “Terrorism and violent extremism are a common enemy and need a joint resolve to fight it.”

Meanwhile, UN envoy to Afghanistan Tadamichi Yamamoto called for measures to halt the cycle of violence following deadly attacks in Afghanistan. “I urge everyone not to respond to violence with more violence,” Yamamoto said.