June 23, 2015
News
Pakistan warns of forceful response to any attack on its territorial integrity
Lodhi reiterates Pakistan’s commitment to play constructive role in promoting peace, security in Afghanistan
INPNEW YORK – Pakistan on Tuesday warned of a forceful response to any effort to destabilise any part of the country or any attack on its territorial integrity.
Speaking at the UN Security Council in the debate on Afghanistan, Pakistan’s Ambassador Dr Maleeha Lodhi said: “Let me be clear: we will be relentless in rooting out terrorism, whosoever its sponsors, external or internal. Any effort to destabilise parts of our country, or to attack its territorial integrity will be responded to forcefully.”
She said that terrorism was a common challenge for both Pakistan and Afghanistan. “We are committed to fighting this scourge together and are increasing our military and intelligence cooperation with Kabul,” she told the 15 member Council. Lodhi condemned the recent rise in violence in Afghanistan and the civilian casualties that have been its grim consequence.
Pakistan, she stated, also condemned the atrocious attack on the Afghan Parliament. “Nothing justifies the killing of innocent people or, as we saw last week, the destruction of hospitals”, she said. Ambassador Lodhi reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to play a constructive role in promoting peace and security in Afghanistan. She said peace and security in Afghanistan could best be achieved through a process of national reconciliation undertaken and led by Afghans themselves.
The Pakistani envoy welcomed what she described as the first, tentative steps taken in recent months to advance the reconciliation process. “We hope these steps will lead soon to direct talks as well as de-escalation of violence. Pakistan will do everything possible to encourage this process. Success, however, will require reciprocal accommodation and above all, strategic patience,” she said. Ambassador Lodhi urged the international community to continue to stand by Afghanistan as it negotiated the multiple challenges on various fronts.
She appreciated the critical role played by UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in this regard. She recalled Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Kabul last month in which the two countries agreed to three guiding principles: “adherence to the policy of non-interference; not allow their respective territories to be used against the other; and Afghanistan's enemies will be treated as Pakistan's enemies and vice versa”. She said that the two leaders also discussed ways to expand trade, increase investment, build road and rail links and enhance energy collaboration.
“This, we hope, will usher in a new era of peace and development in our region – a win-win for everyone,” she added. Maleeha Lodhi said Pakistan had the highest stake in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. Pakistan, she stated, welcomed the Afghan government’s commitment to the return and reintegration of refugees, but made it clear that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had assured President Ghani that Afghan refugees would not be repatriated forcibly.
She said Pakistan-Afghan ties transcended boundaries of time and space. “Our destinies are intertwined.” She quoted what Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had said in Kabul: “We have stood shoulder to shoulder through every trial and tribulation.” Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi assured Afghanistan of Pakistan’s continued resolve to remain by its side, and help the Afghan people in whatever way it could to accomplish the goals of the transformation decade and achieve lasting peace.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk