Karzai seeks to allay Pakistan’s concerns

Karzai says his country is ready to take action if provided evidence about elements using Afghan soil.

ISLAMABAD: Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday that his country is ready to take action if provided evidence about elements using Afghan soil to carry out activities against Pakistan.

At a joint news conference with President Asif Ali Zardari after their meeting followed by delegation-level talks, both leaders once again pledged to work together for peace in the region and for a better future for their coming generations.

Zardari said that Pakistan wants to be a part of the solution to Afghan problems and not a part of the problem.

The Afghan president also reiterated his government’s policy of reconciliation with elements within the Taliban who have no links with al Qaeda and respect the Afghan constitution.

“I will speak with a clear voice and conscience … Afghanistan will be committing a grave wrong to itself if we allow our soil to be used against any other country. This will be not only against the interest of Pakistan but Afghanistan [as well],” Karzai responded when asked about Pakistani concerns regarding Afghanistan’s territory being used against the country.

To a question about dialogue with the Taliban, Karzai said, “while we are continuing our campaign against terrorism, we will also seek means other than military campaigns. This means we will engage those Taliban who are not part of al Qaeda and abide by the Afghan constitution.”

When asked about the grounds for alleging that Pakistani intelligence agencies are fanning insurgency in Afghanistan, Karzai said, “ both the countries are suffering at the hands of terrorists … The people attacking in Afghanistan or targeting innocent people in Pakistan are not coming from Ivory Coast or some other part of the world.”

He said these issues were taken up during the one-on-one meeting with his counterpart as well as at the delegation-level talks.

Asked if he had raised the issue regarding allegations that Pakistan’s intelligence agencies are involved in insurgency in Afghanistan with his Afghan counterpart, Zardari said Pakistan believes that “we [Pakistan and Afghanistan] have a common cause.” Both the countries are suffering from “cancer” he said, adding that the terrorists are no one’s friend.

In answer to a question, President Zardari said Pakistan stands against terrorism. “Pakistan is part of the solution … it is not a part of the problem,” he added.

“We have talked about the future of the coming generations and betterment of the people in Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

Zardari said that a number of issues were discussed but both countries need to do more to help each other. He also condemned the use of force by the Indian security forces in Indian Kashmir against civilians.

Replying to a question about the current situation in Indian Kashmir, Karzai said he is ready to play his role if and when asked to do so. He said Afghanistan has been enjoying good relations with India, which has been one of the main contributors in Afghan reconstruction.

When asked about the future of democracy in Pakistan in the context of rumours regarding regime change, President Zardari said he did not deem it fit to comment on rumours, adding “we did not get democracy in a begging bowl and we know how to safeguard it”.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2010.