Islamabad (Staff Reporter)
President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to safeguarding its national interests, regional sovereignty, and security. He emphasized that Pakistan will never accept any controversial or misleading stance on Jammu and Kashmir. According to him, every illegal claim made by India regarding Kashmir contradicts international laws and United Nations resolutions.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the President’s Secretariat, Asif Ali Zardari responded to recent aggression from Afghanistan, expressing Pakistan’s firm resolve to protect its sovereignty and security. He regretted that the Afghan leadership has turned its back on the oppressed people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, thus doing injustice to history and the Muslim Ummah.
The President highlighted that attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil by groups such as Fitna-ul-Khawarij are well-documented in United Nations reports. Pakistan has repeatedly clarified that the nexus between Fitna-ul-Khawarij and Fitna-ul-Hindustan has targeted Pakistani civilians and security personnel.
Zardari urged the Afghan leadership to take practical steps against anti-Pakistan terrorist elements, calling Fitna-ul-Khawarij and Fitna-ul-Hindustan the greatest threats to peace and stability in the region. He stressed that the fight against terrorism is a shared responsibility and cannot be borne by any single country alone.
The President recalled Pakistan’s four-decade-long hospitality towards Afghan people, which demonstrated Islamic brotherhood and good neighborliness. He added that the restoration of peace and the dignified return of Afghan citizens are in the best interests of both countries. Pakistan will continue to support Afghanistan in education and humanitarian needs, while firmly maintaining its national sovereignty.
Furthermore, Zardari noted that Pakistan has facilitated Afghanistan to the best of its abilities in trade, economy, and connectivity. He emphasized that mutual cooperation and economic partnership form the foundation for sustainable peace and development in the region. Pakistan remains a well-wisher of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan, with brotherly relations based on mutual respect, security collaboration, and regional peace.
In conclusion, the President expressed Pakistan’s expectation that the interim Afghan government will prevent its territory from being used by Fitna-ul-Khawarij and Fitna-ul-Hindustan terrorist groups. He underscored that joint and practical efforts against terrorism are essential guarantees for lasting peace.