ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The prime minister’s adviser on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz on Thursday told his Afghan counterpart Hanif Atmar that his remarks to the BBC Urdu were misquoted.
In an interview with BBC Urdu on Monday, Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan is not going to target militants who do not threaten the country’s security.
On Thursday, Sartaj Aziz telephoned the Afghan national security adviser and told him that he was talking in a historical context.
The adviser said that Pakistan’s commitment to fight terrorism is clear and unambiguous, adding that operation Zarb-e-Azb is targeting all militants without any discrimination.
The premier’s adviser also recalled the understanding reached between the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last week that neither side would allow its territory to be used against the other.
The adviser said that Pakistan will continue to work closely with Afghanistan to address the common challenges and continue to make progress towards a comprehensive and enduring partnership.
“The adviser made the statement in a historical context,” the Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam also clarified on Tuesday while responding to a question regarding his remarks in an interview with the BBC Urdu.
“As for the present, Pakistan has launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb and taking action against all groups without any distinction or discrimination,” she said.
The spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan’s policy and actions should be seen in the light of its commitment to fight terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
