- Afghan envoy blames Pakistan for ‘creation of Taliban’
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal on Thursday asserted that Pakistan supported peace talks between Taliban and the Afghan government, as Afghan envoy Dr Omar Zakhilwal blamed Islamabad for the genesis of Taliban.
Speaking a seminar in Islamabad, the Afghan envoy termed Pakistan the father of Taliban, alleging the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)– responsible for fomenting deadly terror in Pakistan– used to be a part of the Pakistan-made Afghan Taliban as well.
Retaliating to the Afghan envoy’s remarks, former Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) chief Major General (r) Athar Abbas said that Pakistan never tried to influence the Afghan government. “Pakistan has always tried to broker peace through political operations,” he said.
FO WELCOMES PEACE TALKS:
The FO spokesperson, meanwhile, reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for peace talks between Taliban and the Afghan government, saying Pakistan hopes Taliban will make use of the opportunity to establish peace.
He also said that Pakistan was not the only country responsible for bringing Taliban to the negotiating table. “Pakistan believes there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict,” the spokesperson added.
The FO spokesperson also claimed that the United States (US) praised Pakistan’s border management system. He termed the recent visit by US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ambassador Alice Wells as “successful”.
During her visit, Wells had met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and both reiterated the US and Pakistan’s common goal pertaining to stability and peace in the region, according to the Pakistan Army’s media wing.
Speaking about Indian atrocities in held Kashmir, Dr Faisal said, “India should adhere to international laws and human rights.” He further said that the world should take notice of the atrocities being perpetrated by Indian forces in the valley.
Answering a question, FO spokesman Faisal said that he did not have any information regarding ousted prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif allegedly seeking refuge in the United Kingdom (UK).