'Highly disturbing': Pakistan rejects accusations over Kabul hotel attack

Foreign Office says it rejects the insinuation that Pakistan was involved in the attack on Serena hotel in Kabul.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday reiterated its condemnation of the attack on Kabul luxury hotel last Thursday, and expressed concern over attempts to implicate it over the incident.

In a statement released by the foreign office on Monday, it said that one Pakistani national had sustained serious injuries in the attack and remains under treatment.

“It is highly disturbing that attempts are being made to somehow implicate Pakistan in this terrorist incident. We reject the insinuation. The tendency to immediately blame Pakistan is unhelpful and should be discarded,” the statement read.

The statement further added, “We are also surprised to see the Afghan Interior Ministry expressing concern over the recently-initiated dialogue process with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), even though the Afghan leadership, at the highest level, has been expressing its support for this initiative."

On the Afghan elections, the statement said Pakistan has repeatedly underlined its support for efforts to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

"Pakistan remains committed to building a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with Afghanistan. This, however, requires a conducive environment for constructive engagement."