Pakistan asks Afghanistan to hand over Maulvi Fazlullah
06 August, 2014
ISLAMABAD: On Monday, Pakistan once again asked handing over of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Maulvi Fazlullah from Afghanistan.
Talking to media persons, the Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz said that the terrorist attacks from Afghan soil is a serious issue and Pakistan is in touch with the Afghan authorities for better border management.
He said, "Installation of biometric verification system on border crossing points can ensure better management of the border. " He stated in categorical terms that Pakistan will fully protect its border and will retaliate to any fire from across the border. He said, "The terrorists are common enemies of Pakistan and Afghanistan and both countries should fully cooperate in tackling them. "
On Indo-Pak talks, the adviser said, "Foreign secretary's of the two countries are meeting on August 25. "
Responding to a question about the internal situation, Sartaj Aziz said, "The democratic system faces no threat from the long march. Continuity of democracy is vital for the progress and prosperity of the country and no unconstitutional step will be tolerated. "
Earlier, addressing a seminar on 'Building China Pakistan Community of
Shared Destiny in the New Era', Sartaj Aziz said, "Friendship with China is the cornerstone of our foreign policy. The trajectory of friendship and cooperation between the two countries has moved steadily upwards and has crossed a new threshold in the past fourteen months. "
He said that the Pak-China cooperation has expanded from political and defence fields to industry, energy, water and power, agriculture and infrastructure projects and both countries are making conscious efforts to further improve cooperation in joint ventures, high tech industry, telecom and manufacturing.
"China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a landmark project which will connect China with Karachi and Gwadar," Sartaj Aziz said, adding, "Pakistan and China are discussing a number of mega projects under the rubric of the Economic Corridor in fields like energy, infrastructure and connectivity which would revitalize Pakistan's economy. "
Referring to the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in the war against terrorism, the adviser on foreign affairs said the operation launched in North Waziristan against terrorists is proceeding successfully. Large parts of the area have been cleared of the militants and their infrastructure destroyed.
Expressing the resolve to eliminate all local and foreign terrorist groups, Sartaj Aziz said that the objective was to establish writ of the state and not let our territory used against any other country.
He said that the security of all foreign nationals especially the Chinese working in Pakistan is our top priority. Those attacking Chinese experts working in Pakistan want to drive a wedge between the two countries. We will not let them succeed in their nefarious designs. He said that the prime minister has issued specific instructions to all concerned agencies to provide foolproof security to Chinese citizens.
On relations with India, Sartaj Aziz said, "Pakistan believes in peaceful neighbourhood and has reached out to India for improved bilateral relations. "
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