ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office re-emphasised on Thursday the need for cooperative ties with Afghanistan for peace and stability in the region.

“We believe that cooperation between the two countries is essential for promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, which will be beneficial for the two countries as well as the entire region,” said Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah on Thursday at the weekly media briefing.

Relations between the two countries nosedived after the reconciliation process faltered following the disclosure about Taliban chief Mullah Omar’s death and the subsequent spike in Taliban violence. Afghan officials have whipped up anti-Pakistan rhetoric by blaming Pakistan for the aggravating security situation. Mr Khalilullah said that notwithstanding the anti-Pakistan statements coming out of Kabul, Pakistan remained “committed to enhancing cooperation with Afghanistan in all fields of mutual interest”.

He denied Afghan allegations about Pakistani involvement in terrorism incidents.

“As far as the issue of Taliban attacks in various parts of Afghanistan is concerned, let me say that there is no truth in allegations that Pakistani agencies are involved in such attacks. We have also said that occupation of Afghan territory by force by any group is condemnable,” maintained Mr Khalilullah.

The spokesman also renewed Pakistan’s offer to facilitate another round of peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government. Pakistan had facilitated the first round of reconciliation dialogue on July 7 and was set to hold another on July 31 when the process broke down.

Pakistan “remains ready to facilitate the next round, if the Afghan government decides to resume the peace process”, he said.

INDIA: Mr Khalilullah criticised the Indian government for its failure to protect the Muslim minority in the controversy over slaughtering cows and consuming beef.

“In a democratic country, that also claims to be secular, the state should be able to guarantee fundamental rights of minorities and take appropriate measures to ensure that that they are able to live in accordance with their religious beliefs,” he said.

Last week a Muslim man was lynched by Hindu extremists in India for slaughtering a cow. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) political leadership has firmly defended the extremists’ action. In a related incident, a Muslim politician in occupied Kashmir was manhandled by BJP lawmakers for serving beef at a ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi after remaining silent over the controversy for a week finally broke his silence on Thursday and urged religious harmony.

The spokesman also blasted India for its double standards. He said India was the second largest exporter of beef, while Muslims living there were being targeted for consuming beef.

“Violence against Muslims in India for consuming beef and slaughtering cattle, therefore, is beyond comprehension and a cause of concern for the Muslim Ummah,”

MINA TRAGEDY: The spokesman gave an update over the Pakistanis killed in Mina stampede and defended the Saudi government’s arrangements.

“As of yesterday, the number of martyrs was 89, injured still being treated five and missing 43. All efforts are being made to locate the missing Pakistanis,” he said.

Responding to a question about the return of bodies, he said: “When someone is proceeding for Haj, he/she has to give an undertaking that, in case of death while performing Haj, he/she will be buried there. The consent for local burial is, therefore, given by everyone before proceeding for Haj.”

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2015

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