Pakistan rubbishes Ghani’s charges

ISLAMABAD — A day after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani attacked Islamabad for ‘sheltering terrorists’, the Foreign Office on Tuesday rejected the allegations saying Pakistan does not differentiate between terror groups.

“Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and it is committed in the fight against this menace,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said.

“Pakistan itself is the biggest victim of terrorism in which thousands of our security personnel have sacrificed their lives,” he said.

The spokesperson said Pakistan is making serious efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. “Pakistan hosted the first round of direct talks between Afghan government and Taleban but Pakistan alone is not responsible for bringing the Taleban back to the negotiating table,” he maintained.

Zakaria also said the Quadrilateral Coordination Group was constituted to achieve the objective of peace and stability in Afghanistan. “Peace in the neighbouring country is in the interest of Pakistan,” the spokesperson stressed.

The development comes as the relationship between the two neighbouring countries deteriorates once again following a deadly attack on Afghan security agency headquarters in Kabul on April 19.