ISLAMABAD  - The Foreign Office spokesman has clarified that Pakistan desires to promote good neighborly relations with Afghanistan on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest.
He made the clarification in response to a question regarding media reports about Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s recent assertions that conditionalities will be attached to negotiations on a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Pakistan.
He said in this regard comments reportedly made by President Karzai and certain other quarters in Afghanistan are entirely misplaced and without any basis.
The Spokesman further clarified that the proposed Strategic Partnership Agreement was suggested by President Karzai during Trilateral Summit in New York. The same was also reflected in the Press Release dated 29 September 2012 issued from New York.
Referring to allegations against Pakistan‚ the Spokesman said that Pakistan has invested heavily both in terms of human and economic losses to promote stability in Afghanistan.
The Spokesman underscored that Pakistan would like to have a mature and responsible dialogue with Afghanistan.
However‚ diplomacy through the media needed to be avoided.