Will work with whoever forms govt in Kabul: FO
Tasneem Aslam says Pakistan not siding with any party in the Afghan election.
Afghan women cast their ballots at a local polling station in Kabul on April 5, 2014. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan will focus on ‘building and enhancing’ its bilateral relations with Afghanistan irrespective of whoever wins the presidential elections in the neighbouring country, foreign office spokesperson said on Thursday.
Addressing a weekly news briefing, Tasneem Aslam insisted that Pakistan was not supporting one party over another in Afghanistan.
Aslam was responding to questions about the possible victory of Dr Abdullah Abdullah, who is considered to have maintained close ties with India and had been part of the Northern Alliance, which had a bitter history with Pakistan.
“We deal with countries as we have repeatedly said and I would not agree with the perception that any particular Afghan leader is against Pakistan. We engage with them all. Whoever forms the government we would be working with him,” she said.
“We don’t know yet who would form the next government in Afghanistan but whoever forms the government, irrespective of that, Pakistan would focus on building and enhancing our bilateral relations with Afghanistan,” she added.
She said it was in Islamabad’s self-interest that peace and stability returns to Afghanistan because it is essential for peace and progress in Pakistan.
“Besides, it would open up the way for economic cooperation, joint-ventures and trade with Central Asia which we are very keen to enhance, she stated.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2014.
Pakistan will focus on ‘building and enhancing’ its bilateral relations with Afghanistan irrespective of whoever wins the presidential elections in the neighbouring country, foreign office spokesperson said on Thursday.
Addressing a weekly news briefing, Tasneem Aslam insisted that Pakistan was not supporting one party over another in Afghanistan.
Aslam was responding to questions about the possible victory of Dr Abdullah Abdullah, who is considered to have maintained close ties with India and had been part of the Northern Alliance, which had a bitter history with Pakistan.
“We deal with countries as we have repeatedly said and I would not agree with the perception that any particular Afghan leader is against Pakistan. We engage with them all. Whoever forms the government we would be working with him,” she said.
“We don’t know yet who would form the next government in Afghanistan but whoever forms the government, irrespective of that, Pakistan would focus on building and enhancing our bilateral relations with Afghanistan,” she added.
She said it was in Islamabad’s self-interest that peace and stability returns to Afghanistan because it is essential for peace and progress in Pakistan.
“Besides, it would open up the way for economic cooperation, joint-ventures and trade with Central Asia which we are very keen to enhance, she stated.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2014.