ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday stressed that Afghanistan must live up to the commitments it has made to the international community and Islamabad, including ensuring that Kabul territory is not used for terrorism.
The reaction came as Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi asked Pakistan not to blame the neighboring country for the recent bomb blast in Peshawar, which killed at least 100 people and injured more than 200. .
The attack occurred as hundreds of worshipers gathered for noon prayer at a mosque built for police and their families who live in a heavily fortified area. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but authorities suspect the involvement of a splinter group from the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“It is time to fulfill the commitments made to the world and to Pakistan with concrete steps with sincerity and good faith,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said during her weekly press briefing.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan expects sincere cooperation from the interim government of Afghanistan to tackle the challenge of terrorism and hopes that Kabul will fulfill its promises.
“We take the loss of innocent lives very seriously and expect our neighbors to do the same,” the spokesman stressed, as the country grapples with a surge in terrorism.
The outlawed TTP – which has safe havens in Afghanistan – began its operations in November last year after ending a ceasefire with Islamabad, targeting mostly security forces, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Terrorist attacks have increased in Pakhtunkhwa.
In this regard, the spokesman said that terrorism is a common threat to both Pakistan and Afghanistan. “We must take a strong stand against institutions that use violence against innocent citizens and law enforcement agencies.”
The spokesperson said that Pakistan is determined to root out the menace of terrorism and protect the security of every citizen.
“We do not believe in making accusations or pointing fingers; however, we will reiterate our expectation that no country will allow its soil to be used for terrorism against Pakistan.”
