Pakistan extends olive branch to Afghanistan

Expresses desire to resolve issues through 'dialogue and constructive approach'

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ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Thursday expressed its desire to resolve all issues with Afghanistan through "dialogue and constructive approach" in what seems an apparent shift in its policy after months strained ties between Islamabad and Kabul.

Over the past few days, Pakistan and Afghanistan re-established contacts. While Pakistani Charge d' Affaires held a meeting with the Afghan defense minister in Kabul last month, the acting Afghan ambassador in Islamabad visited the foreign office to meet Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar earlier this week.

"First, the meeting of the Afghan Charge d' Affaires with our deputy prime minister and foreign minister was a courtesy meeting," foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters at the weekly news briefing.

She added Pakistan had always advocated for engagement and constructive dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"The request from the Charge d' Affaires of Afghanistan for a meeting with the foreign minister was made some time back. And so the meeting took place recently," she further said.

"Secondly, both these meetings between our foreign minister and the Charge d' Affaires and between our head of mission in Kabul and the defense minister of Afghanistan, are an expression of Pakistan's interest in dialogue to resolve any issues that arise from time to time and to find constructive approach and solutions to issues, including issues that are of serious concern to Pakistan," according to the spokesperson.

"I have said this multiple times, Pakistan and Afghanistan have direct channels of communication. We continue to discuss all matters of mutual concern. The issue of terrorism threat that Pakistan faces remains on bilateral agenda between Pakistan and Afghanistan."

When asked whether there was a change of approach, the spokesperson made it clear that Pakistan remained deeply concerned at the activities of terror groups and entities that endanger the lives of Pakistani nationals.

"We condemn any individual, entity or sponsor that support these terror activities. If you have seen the recent statement that came out of the meeting of the Federal Apex Committee of the National Action Plan, you would recall it has expressed concerns about foreign sponsors of terror groups in Pakistan. It is a major concern of Pakistan about support of terrorist individuals and entities received from any foreign entity," she added.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained by Kabul's failure to crackdown on the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates.

Pakistan has virtually limited its contacts with the interim Afghan government in order to express its displeasure. However, in order to break the stalemate, Pakistan has decided to make a renewed push for resolving issues with Kabul.

The first indication of that change of approach is the appointment of special envoy to Afghanistan.

Veteran diplomat Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq returned as special envoy with a task to reset ties with Afghanistan.

She said that Pakistan was following the developments in Syria and was concerned about the escalation in violence.

"We express full support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria. The Government of Pakistan has always supported efforts aimed at finding comprehensive solution to the crisis in Syria. Any solutions to the situation should correspond to the aspirations of the Syrian people for their security, stability and development," she stressed.

"It is the right of the people of Syria to determine their own future and make decisions about their destiny. We also support efforts for an inclusive political process, envisioned under resolution 2254, which was unanimously approved by the UN Security Council," she maintained.