Pakistan has expressed concern over continued presence of safe havens of TTP elements in Kunar and Nooristan areas of Afghanistan.
Responding to questions by newsmen at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary said these elements are carrying out undesirable activities against Pakistan.
He said Pakistan has taken up the matter many a times with Afghanistan at all levels and hoped that these safe havens of TTP would be eliminated. He said presence of safe havens is a serious matter but Pakistan would continue to remain in cooperative mode as this is best way to defeat the evil forces.
When his attention was drawn towards accusatory statements coming from Afghan President and Foreign Minister‚ the spokesman said both sides have concerns and Pakistan believes that the best way to remove concerns and misunderstandings is to keep all channels of communication open.
He said Pakistan is following a policy of goodwill towards Afghanistan and wants its reflection in Afghan policy as well.
Referring to Afghan decision not to send military delegation for a training course in Quetta‚ he said training activities are meant to build trust and confidence between the two countries and we should not miss this 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 emphasized that Pakistan and Afghanistan have to work together in harmony to promote peace not only in Afghanistan but also in the whole region. Pakistan would continue to make use of its good offices for bringing reconciliation‚ peace and stability in Afghanistan.
To a question Aizaz Ahmad said Pakistan supports intra-Afghan dialogue and that is why it instantly agreed to release of prisoners and provision of 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 will 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 of Indian Prime Minister about relations with Pakistan‚ the spokesman said Pakistan believes that good‚ healthy and constructive relationship is in the interest of people of the two countries and the region.
He hoped that this conviction of Government of Pakistan to promote relations would be well appreciated by the other side.
About renewed interest being shown by India for joining IP gas pipeline project‚ he said India has not formally approached Pakistan for the purpose and we would respond when New Delho does so.
Responding to a question about death of an Indian prisoner in Lahore he said details are being sought from the Interior Ministry and Home Department of Punjab.
He said representative of Indian High Commission was present during post-mortem.