The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Pakistan is ready to reopen its borders with Afghanistan and develop the neighboring country into a trade and regional connectivity hub, but only if terrorism emanating from Afghan territory under Taliban is completely stopped, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said Thursday.
“The action now rests on the other side,” Ambassador Sajjad
Haider Khan said during the ministry’s weekly briefing, according to Pakistani
journalist, Tahir Khan.
Sajjad Khan meanwhile said Pakistan wanted to maintain trade
and connectivity with Afghanistan but insisted that security concerns needed to
be addressed first.
He also said mediation efforts by China, Turkey and Qatar
had so far failed to produce results because, in Pakistan’s view, Afghanistan
was not prepared to cooperate.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have experienced heightened
tensions in recent months, with Islamabad repeatedly accusing the Taliban
authorities of allowing militant groups to operate from Afghan territory.
Afghan authorities have rejected such allegations and said they do not allow
their territory to be used against other countries.
Sajjad Khan said Pakistan remained prepared to facilitate
trade and connectivity with Afghanistan once the security concerns were
resolved.
