Blaming Pak for security incidents inside Afghanistan ‘unhelpful’: Aizaz Chaudhry

WASHINGTON: Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said on Thursday that the tendency of blaming Pakistan for security incidents inside Afghanistan was unhelpful and there is evidence showing that militant groups, having fled from Pakistan's border areas, found sanctuaries in the neighbouring country’s ungoverned spaces from where they planned and coordinated attacks against both countries.

A press release issued by the information wing of the Pakistan Embassy in Washington said Chaudhry, while addressing members at an event at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, briefed the audience on Pakistan's economic turnaround and successes in the fight against terrorism, besides sharing Pakistan's perspective on key issues and developments in the region.

Referring to the great human and material cost entailed in reversing the tide of terrorism when it was ascendant elsewhere in the region, Chaudhry said that, "No nation has done more in the fight against terrorism."

Turning towards regional developments, the ambassador said Pakistan continues to support an inclusive political reconciliation process in Afghanistan as the only viable path towards obtaining lasting peace in the region. 

There is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan, he added. The ambassador identified key steps for restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan, including intra-Afghan reconciliation, robust border management, repatriation of Afghan refugees and close cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Ambassador Chaudhry reaffirmed that Pakistan was ready to work with the United States as a partner for achieving peace and security in the region

The ambassador said that Pakistan's growth indicators were positive and pointing in the right direction because of the Government of Pakistan's focus on economic stability and outward looking policies. 

The government's emphasis on building economic connectivity, best symbolised by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, had generated interest among international investors, including those from corporate America. 

This economic revival had taken place at the same time that the country had successfully turned the corner in its fight against terrorism and extremism.