Bilateral interaction: Islamabad, Kabul cool tensions through right channels

Foreign office prioritises peace on Afghanistan; plays down debate over US cutting aid to Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan and Afghanistan are maintaining contacts through ‘appropriate channels’ to defuse renewed tensions between the two neighbours, the foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

At his weekly news briefing, Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry told reporters that Pakistan is committed to improving ties with Afghanistan. However, he did not specify what channels were being used to lower the temperature between the two countries.“We do not respond to any allegation with a counter allegation. For us, the most important thing is the peace process in Afghanistan,” Chaudhry said in response to a question about repeated Afghan allegations against Pakistan.

“We are convinced that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan and the region, and we will continue to facilitate the peace process in every possible way,” he added.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have hit a new low over the past few weeks as a result of allegations by Kabul that Islamabad was sabotaging the peace process.

Pakistan once again denied the charge.

The spokesperson said Pakistan welcomed the resolution of the recent dispute over the border post with Afghanistan.

“In our view, effective border management can help interdict any cross-border terrorist activity. We welcome such bilateral interactions in order to enhance cooperation and reduce the space for detractors,” Chaudhry said.

US aid cut

The spokesperson attempted to play down the hype over the recent debate in Washington that US should cut off aid to Pakistan.

He said the Pakistani and US governments remained engaged at various levels to address issues of “bilateral concern.”

“We are maintaining mutually beneficial relations with the United States. There are issues in every relationship, and we are taking steps to address them. On the whole, the relationship is on a positive trajectory,” he maintained.

He said that irrespective of US aid, Pakistan is ready to cooperate with all stakeholders to achieve the overall objective of attaining peace and stability in Afghanistan – 2014 and beyond.

‘Foreign pressure on Musharraf’

When asked, the spokesperson expressed his ignorance about any foreign pressure on Pakistan regarding former military ruler General  Pervez Musharraf’s arrest.

He also denied that any foreign mission approached Pakistan government to provide asylum to the former army chief.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2013.