ISLAMABAD, Nov 15: Pakistan has approached the United Nations relief agencies to verify the number of Pakistanis killed in Afghanistan in action.

Foreign Office Spokesman Aziz Khan told at the daily press briefing on Thursday that since Pakistan had no presence inside Afghanistan, it had asked the UN agencies, who are planning to move in, to verify the number of Pakistanis killed in recent fighting.

ISPR chief Maj-Gen Rashid Qureshi allayed the concern about the security on the western borders after the takeover of Kabul by the Northern Alliance, saying there was no movement southwards.

In some Pakhtoon-dominated areas, he said, local tribal elders and commanders had risen against the Taliban and taken over those towns and cities.

As regards the possibility of some Taliban or members of Al Qaeda crossing over into Pakistan, the ISPR chief said that security had already been beefed up to prevent any unauthorized crossing into the country. Nobody without having valid documents would be allowed to enter Pakistan, he declared.

In reply to a question whether the fall of Kabul would hamper the process of setting up a broad-based government, the FO spokesman said that international community as well as the Six-plus-Two group had called for the broad-based government.

He pointed out that the United Nations Security Council had adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of a broad-based, multi-ethnic government in Afghanistan.

He read out some portions of the resolution in which it had expressed strong support for the efforts of Afghan people for the establishment of a transitional government leading to a permanent setup.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...