Pak says it is opposed to greater role for India in Afghanistan

Islamabad (Pakistan): Pakistan today it was against giving India an expanded role in Afghanistan as it would not be good for peace and stability in the region.

Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Nafees Zakaria during a media briefing also accused India of using Afghan territory to destabilise Pakistan.

“Pakistan has been very clear that an expanded Indian role in Afghanistan would not be in the interest of regional stability,” he said.

His comments came days after US President Donald Trump sought bigger role for India in his new South Asia policy.

Zakaria said Pakistan had been raising this issue at all relevant forums and “it has credible evidence of India s involvement in engaging and using terrorist outfits in Afghanistan against Pakistan”.

He also spokes about the human rights violations in Kashmir.

To a question, he said that Pakistan would continue to take up the matter of violation of rights issue in Kashmir with the EU.

He said Pakistan has persistently highlighted the plight of Kashmiris.

He said expeditious resolution of the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, is an imperative and UN has a responsibility to that end.

To another question, he said that statements from Indian leaders reflect a belligerent, irresponsible mindset that is against the basic norms of inter-state conduct.

“Pakistan is taking all necessary steps to counter Indian irresponsible attitude. Let me assure you and India that it will be given an appropriate and befitting response in case of any brinkmanship,” he said.

Talking about Afghanistan he said that, Pakistan has played its due role in all Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace initiatives aimed at achieving stability.

He also said that Pakistan and the US have been partners for long and have converging interest in Afghanistan s security. He said both sides are preparing ground for future cooperation in the wake of the US strategy on Afghanistan.