QUETTA, Aug 6: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on Wednesday said that he would visit Kabul in the third week of the current month to discuss all bilateral issues with the Afghan foreign minister, adding that some vested interests were trying to damage close ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan.He was talking with journalists at the Governor’s House here.
He said that he would visit Kabul on the invitation of Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.
Denying allegations regarding Pakistan army’s trespassing inside the Afghan border, Mr Kasuri said that Pakistan had not occupied “a single inch” of the Afghan territory.
Referring to the Durand Line, the foreign minister said that the demarcation between the two countries was internationally- recognized, adding that Pakistan had inherited this arbitrary line dividing the two countries from the British.
Pakistan and Afghanistan, he said, had left the issue of the attack on Pakistan embassy in Kabul behind, adding that not only the Afghan government had expressed its regrets over the incident but it had also paid compensation in this regard.
Defending the change in Pakistan’ foreign policy vis-a-vis Afghanistan after the Sept 11 incident, Mr Kasuri said that it had been done keeping in view the people’s aspirations in this regard, adding that Islamabad had to respect sentiments of the international community for peaceful coexistence.
Mr Kasuri stressed on the need for resolving outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India, including the Kashmir issue, saying that it was vital for maintaining perpetual peace in the region, adding that Pakistan’s armed forces were capable of protecting the national frontiers.
Referring to Pakistan-India relations, Mr Kasuri called for concerted efforts for the peaceful settlement of differences between the two countries and disputes peacefully including the core issue of Kashmir in order that both countries should utilize the funds to alleviate poverty.
He further said that all Nations including Pakistan that were engaged in defence exercises with each other country, therefore if India armed forces carry out exercise with American forces Pakistan has no objection.
Referring to allegations regarding the Indian use of its Kandahar consulate for subversive activities in Pakistan, Mr Kasuri said that Pakistan was watching the situation on its eastern and western borders very carefully, adding that the country’s armed forces were vigilant and alive to the situation, adding that they were capable of thwarting the evil designs.
Pakistan, Mr Kasuri said, had not yet decided about dispatching its troops to Iraq, but if the United Nations or the international community made an appeal for sending troops to Iraq then Islamabad would take a decision keeping in view its national interests while other Muslim countries would be contacted before making any final decision in this regard.
The foreign minister defended Iran’s right to acquire the knowledge of nuclear technology for peaceful means, declaring that Pakistan would not support any attack on Iran.