Pakistan taking effective steps for border management with Afghanistan: Tehmina

ISLAMABAD (APP): Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua Tuesday said that there are no safe havens of terrorist groups in Pakistan and the country has cleansed its soil of terrorists.

Tehmina Janjua was briefing the Senate’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs on the situation emerging in the aftermath of the America’s Afghan policy and recent top-level meetings between Pakistan and the US leadership.

The Foreign Secretary said terrorist safe havens are in Afghanistan where over forty five percent area of the country is without any governance. She told the Senate that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the militant Islamic State were perpetuating terrorist activities against Pakistan.

She said Pakistan was making concerted efforts to secure its frontiers with Afghanistan. “Pakistan had told America to provide useful information about the presence of militants, it will take action.”

The Foreign Secretary said that the United States has been apprised of the fact that Indian intelligence agency RAW is using Afghan soil for terrorist activities in Pakistan. Enhanced Indian role in the region was unacceptable, she added.

The Foreign Secretary said Pakistan is taking effective measures for border management with Afghanistan. She said the United States is ready to mediate between Pakistan and India over Kashmir issue.

Referring to Army Chief’s recent visit to Afghanistan, Tehmina Janjua said it was a significant visit and the meetings with Afghan civilian leadership remained positive. She rejected the concerns of the US on the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Ms Janjua said the Pakistan’s leadership raised the issue of Kashmir during meetings with the US authorities. “They are ready to mediate between Pakistan and India for resolution of the Kashmir issue.”

Briefing the committee about Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s recent visit to Afghan capital Kabul, she said it was an important trip during which key meetings with Afghan civilian and military leadership took place.

Both countries are in agreement over several issues, including border management, enhancing trade and setting up five working groups. About anti Pakistan posters in London, she briefed the Senate Committee that the posters have been removed after Pakistan’s protest.