Release of Bagram detainees: Kabul’s concerns unfounded, says Aziz

Sartaj Aziz questions why they are considered security threat to Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday said that Afghan authorities have mistaken concerns about the release of Pakistani detainees from Bagram detention centre. Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz while talking to Voice of America said, “Afghan authorities have mistaken concerns about the release of detainees.” He said most important task for both countries is to work together jointly to secure their porous border and prevent extremists crossing in either direction. Regarding the detainees released last week from the Bagram detention centre, Aziz questioned why they are considered a security threat to Afghanistan. “They have already arrived in Pakistan, so, I think that is not the issue. But basically, there is turmoil in the border [area].”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2014.