Pakistan concerned by continued TTP presence in Afghanistan

Pakistan has expressed concern over continued presence of safe havens of TTP elements in Kunar and Nooristan provinces of Afghanistan. Responding to questions by newsmen at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said these elements were carrying out undesirable activities against Pakistan. He said Pakistan had taken up the matter many a times with Afghanistan at all levels and hoped that these TTP safe havens would be eliminated. Chaudhry said the presence of safe havens was a serious matter but Pakistan would continue to remain in cooperative mode as this was the best way to defeat evil forces. When his attention was drawn towards accusatory statements coming from Afghan president and foreign minister‚ the spokesman said both sides had concerns and Pakistan believed that the best way to remove concerns and misunderstandings was to keep all channels of communication open. He said Pakistan was following a policy of goodwill towards Afghanistan and wanted its reflection in Afghan policy as well. Referring to Afghan decision of not sending military delegation for a training course in Quetta‚ he said training activities were meant to build trust and confidence between the two countries and one should not miss that opportunity. As for the excuse presented by Afghanistan for the purpose‚ the spokesman said there was some intrusion from Afghan side and our troops only responded and that too in a disciplined and responsible manner. He said there was no artillery shelling as alleged by the Afghan side. The spokesman emphasised that Pakistan and Afghanistan had to work together in harmony to promote peace not only in Afghanistan but also in the entire region. Pakistan would continue to make use of its good offices for bringing reconciliation‚ peace and stability in Afghanistan. To a question Chaudhry said Pakistan supported intra-Afghan dialogue and that was why it instantly agreed to release prisoners and provide safe passage to Afghan Taliban at the behest of Afghan High Peace Council. About drone attacks‚ he said Pakistan also conveyed its point of view to the UN special rapporteur who would be presenting the report at the UN Human Rights Council and may be at the UN General Assembly session. Asked to comment on a statement by Indian prime minister about relations with Pakistan‚ the spokesman said Pakistan believed that good‚ healthy and constructive relationship was in the interest of the people of the two countries and the region. About renewed interest being shown by India for joining IP gas pipeline project‚ he said India had not formally approached Pakistan for the purpose and “we will respond when New Delhi does so”. To a question on the death of an Indian prisoner in Lahore, the FO spokesman said details were being sought from the Interior Ministry and Home Department of Punjab. He said representative of Indian High Commission was present during the post-mortem.