Afghan attacks: Pakistan for joint efforts to root out terror

FO says Afghan Taliban violence unjustifiable, intolerable

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan condemned on Wednesday the Taliban attacks in Afghanistan’s Helmand province that left 26 police officials dead.

“Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the families of the deceased,” said a statement issued by the Foreign Office. “Such acts are unjustifiable and cannot be tolerated. Terrorism is our common enemy. Comprehensive and coordinated measures are imperative to root out this menace from our region.”

On Monday, the Taliban had carried out multiple attacks in the volatile southern Afghanistan, including a 16-hour siege of a college dormitory.

The violence over a 24-hour period came as the insurgents stepped up attacks on government and foreign targets despite Kabul’s repeated overtures to the Taliban to reopen peace talks. Taliban militants had raided several police outposts in Nawzad district in the restive opium-rich province of Helmand. Around 16 security forces were killed.

In neighbouring Kandahar, insurgents stormed the dormitory of a teacher training school, triggering a 16-hour gun battle with Afghan forces. The police were able to evacuate the residence and in the fighting, one woman was killed and six police officials wounded.

Another militant attack in Waza Khwa district in the south-eastern province of Paktika left at least eight police officials dead and 10 wounded. Militants had torched the police post and stolen weapons and police vehicles.

On Tuesday, three suicide bombers attacked a court complex in the capital of Wardak province, killing two policemen and wounding another.

Pakistan has reiterated its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In a major policy shift in the recent months, Islamabad is now more vocal against the violence perpetrated by the Afghan Taliban.

During his recent visit to Kabul, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had made it clear that the enemies of Afghanistan were Pakistan’s foes as well.

Meanwhile, Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai called on Premier Nawaz’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi on Wednesday.

The Foreign Office said Fatemi expressed satisfaction that the two neighbours were constructively engaged in improving bilateral relations in all fields, such as political dialogue, trade, defence and security, enhanced border management, repatriation of Afghan refugees, counter-narcotics, and infrastructure and energy connectivity.

He reiterated Pakistan’s firm resolve to fully support Afghanistan’s efforts for peace and stability, including facilitating an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process.

It was agreed that the two countries would work closely for peace, stability and security in Afghanistan, which is essential for peace and socio-economic development in the region.

Pakistan’s contribution to Afghanistan’s reconstruction, rehabilitation, peace and security was appreciated, added the statement. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2015.