jalil-abbasi-afp-670
Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani. — File photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani on Wednesday said the role of international forces in Afghanistan had led to terrorism in the war-torn country, DawnNews reported.

Speaking at a conference on Afghanistan in Islamabad, the foreign secretary said terrorism would continue to affect the country even after the withdrawal of Nato forces.

The US plans to end its combat operations in Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and is encouraging the Afghan government to engage the Taliban militants for a peaceful end to the conflict. The Taliban, however, appear reluctant to work with Kabul.

Jilani added that Pakistan's army and intelligence agencies were in close contact with their Afghan counterparts over cooperation on security-related issues.

The foreign secretary said Pakistan had allocated funds for development projects in Afghanistan, adding that 20 million dollars were for assisting the Afghan National Army (ANA).

Opinion

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.