ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Office has said that Pakistan acknowledges the Afghan government’s right to undertake actions on its sovereign territory.
In a statement on Friday, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that the Afghan side conveyed to Pakistan its intention of carrying out air operation inside its territory opposite the Chaman Sector of Pakistan.
The Spokesperson said that Pakistan responded positively to the Afghan government’s right to act in its territory.
Chaudhri added that in spite of very close border operations normally not acceded to by internationally accepted norms/standards/procedures, Pakistan took necessary measures within its territory to safeguard our own troops and population.
However, as alleged by the Afghan Vice President, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) never communicated anything to the Afghan Air Force.
Such statements undermine Pakistan’s sincere efforts to play its part in an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led solution, he said.
The Spokesperson said that Pakistan lately rescued 40 ANDSF all ranks who fled to Pakistan and returned them to GIORA with respect and dignity, with a declared offer to ANDSF to provide all logistical support as requested.
“We remain committed to peace in Afghanistan and shall continue to endeavour towards this end irrespective of the detractors,” he said.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson said that it is, however, important that at this critical juncture, all energies are focused on achieving an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan.
