ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan including the one in the eastern Paktika province in which a large number of civilians were killed.
In her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, the Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said that Islamabad extends heartfelt condolences to the families of victims and prays for speedy recovery of the injured. She said that no cause justifies such despicable acts especially in the holy month of Ramadan.
“We reiterate condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the spokesperson said.
On the Afghan presidential elections, the spokesperson said that Pakistan has welcomed the amicable solution reached regarding the complaints of fraud in second round of presidential elections in the neighboring country.
“We appreciate the efforts of everyone who contributed to this peaceful negotiated outcome. We believe this is success for democracy,” Aslam said.
The foreign office spokesperson said that it is hoped that the Afghan authorities and the international partners will remain successful in the next important process to be undertaken within the next few weeks.
The spokesperson while commenting on the conviction of a Pakistani Journalist Faizullah Khan said that the matter has been actively pursued with the Afghan authorities to secure the release of the journalist.
“Our consular general in Jalalabad and Kabul embassy has been pursuing this case on the legal and political tracks,” she said.
Tasnim Aslam said that the consular general held meetings with the Afghan officials and secured immediate consular access to the journalist, facilitated his contact with the family and arranged a lawyer.
Our Ambassador in Kabul also held meetings with the Afghan foreign and interior ministers on the matter. In all these meetings, the afghan authorities were asked to release the Pakistani journalist on humanitarian grounds, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said that due to hectic efforts, the most serious charges have been dropped against the journalist and the Afghan authorities have also promised to help Pakistan in this case.
