ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said US and allied forces should not withdraw from Afghanistan till the situation stabilises in the country.
“The US and allied forces are staying in the war-torn country as per the mandate of the UN which is renewed every year,” Dr Faisal said during his weekly press briefing in Islamabad.
“The forces are staying there for peace, stability and development of the country,” he added.
Further, the FO spokesperson stated that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict. “Negotiated settlement is the most viable option and we are pleased that other important actors are also arriving at the same conclusion and exploring the possibilities of peace and reconciliation.”
“Pakistan welcomes efforts for negotiated settlement and will extend all possible support in this regard,” he continued.
Regarding the abduction of Iranian border guards near Pak-Iran border, the FO spokesperson said, “Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif telephoned Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and discussed the situation and noted that the director generals of military operations of the two countries are also in touch with each other to coordinate security and rescue efforts.”
Further, the spokesperson reiterated a call for a thorough and independent investigation into use of chemical weapons by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir.
“Indian forces are committing heinous crimes in occupied Kashmir and the same was documented by the UN Human Rights Commission in its recent report,” he said.
“Pakistan has a principled stand on Kashmir dispute and there is no change in it. We want an early resolution but the other side is not ready to do so,” he added.
