Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday refuted the eccentric statement made by the Vice President of Afghanistan, saying that it remains committed to finding Afghan-owned solutions in this war-torn country.
Afghanistan Vice President Amrullah Saleh had claimed on Twitter that the PAF had said it would repel any attempt by the Afghan Air Force to dislodge the Taliban from the Spin Boldak area.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) clarified that the Pakistan Air Force “never communicated anything with the Afghan Air Force” and added that such declarations undermined Pakistan’s sincere efforts for a solution owned and led by Afghanistan.
The foreign office further clarified that the Afghan side conveyed to Pakistani authorities their intentions to carry out an air operation in its territory, which is opposite to the Chaman sector in Pakistan.
“We acknowledge Afghan Government’s right to undertake actions on its sovereign territory,” stressed the Foreign Office.
“Pakistan responded positively to Afghan Government’s right to act in its territory. In spite of very close border operations normally not acceded to by internationally accepted norms/standards/procedures, Pakistan took necessary measures within its territory to safeguard our own troops and population,” added the FO.
The MoFA also clarified that recently, Pakistan rescued 40 Afghan National and Defence Security Forces (ANDSF) “with a declared offer to ANDSF to provide all logistical support as requested”.
Pakistan stated that it remains committed to peace in Afghanistan “regardless of its critics.”
Islamabad stated that efforts by all parties to reach an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political solution in Afghanistan are very important.
