RAWALPINDI: Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has reiterated that Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership was striving to bring both the Afghan government and Taliban to negotiating table for ensuring long-lasting peace in Afghanistan.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Foreign Office were making all-out efforts to achieve peace in Afghanistan,” the minister said while talking to journalists today (Saturday).
The minister said that Pakistan wanted peace in Afghanistan, adding “Whatever the people of Afghanistan decide, we will accept.” He categorically said that Pakistan would not allow any country to use its land for disturbing regional peace.
Talking about the stranded people at Torkham border, Rashid said that only those people who were vaccinated would be allowed to cross the border. “The decision to this effect was taken in the wake of new variants of the coronavirus pandemic”, he added. He said those who had not been vaccinated and tested positive, they would be sent for quarantine in the dedicated area.
Referring to the government’s relations with opposition, the minister said that the relationship would improve after the Azad Kashmir elections. “The present government will complete its constitutional tenure of five years”, he added.
He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had raised the voice of the people of Kashmir all over the world. “I will also go along with Prime Minister Imran Khan to Azad Kashmir in connection with the election campaign and it is expected that the Prime Minister will go there in the coming days,” he announced.
Meanwhile, the federal minister also ruled out any talks with India until the restoration of pre-August 5 status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
