Pakistan demands Afghanistan hand over Mullah Fazlullah

Aziz says, Pakistan will fully protect its border and retaliate to any fire from across the border

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan once again demanded that Afghanistan hand over Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Mullah Fazullah. 

Talking to the media on Monday, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said the terrorist attacks from Afghan side of the border is a serious issue and Pakistan is in touch with the Afghan authorities for better management of the border.

Aziz suggested the installation of biometric verification system on border crossing points can ensure better management of the border.

He stated in categorical terms that Pakistan will fully protect its border and retaliate to any fire from across the border, adding that terrorists are common enemies of Pakistan and Afghanistan and both the countries should fully cooperate in tackling them.

On Indo-Pak talks, the adviser said foreign secretary's of the two countries are meeting on August 25.

Responding to a question about the country’s internal situation, Aziz said the democratic system faces no threat from the long march. “Continuity of democracy is vital for the progress and prosperity of the country and no extra constitutional step will be tolerated,” he said.

Earlier, addressing a seminar on 'Building China Pakistan Community of  Shared Destiny in the New Era', Aziz said “friendship with China is the cornerstone of our foreign policy”.

“The trajectory of friendship and cooperation between the two countries has moved steadily upwards and has crossed a new threshold in the past fourteen months,” he said.

Further, Aziz said Pakistan-China cooperation has now expanded from political and defense fields to industry, energy, water and power, agriculture and infrastructure projects. Both the countries are making conscious efforts to further improve cooperation in joint ventures , high tech industry, telecom and manufacturing.

Aziz said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a landmark project which will connect China with Karachi and Gwadar. He said Pakistan and China are discussing a number of mega projects under the rubric of economic corridor in several fields like energy, infrastructure and connectivity which would revitalise Pakistan's economy.

Referring to the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the war against terrorism, the adviser on foreign affairs said the operation launched in North Waziristan against terrorists is proceeding successfully.

He added that large parts of the area have been cleared of the militants and their infrastructure has been destroyed.

Expressing the resolve to eliminate all local and foreign terrorist groups, Aziz said our objective is establish writ of the state and not let our territory be used against any other country.

“Secuirty of all foreign nationals especially of Chinese working in Pakistan is our top priority,” said Aziz adding “those attacking Chinese experts working in Pakistan want to drive a wedge between the two countries”.

Warning that he will not allow militants to  succeed in their nefarious designs, Aziz said the prime minister has issued specific instructions to all concerned agencies to provide foolproof security to Chinese citizens.

On relations with India, Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan believes in peaceful neighbourhood and has reached out to India for improved bilateral relations.