Pakistan derides Afghan accusations

Islamabad, May 22 (UNI) Pakistan today criticised the Afghan government for its ''failure to deal with the internal security situation'', rejecting accusations by the Kabul leadership involving it in renewed violence in South Afghan provinces.

''The Afghan government's failure to deal with the situation cannot be placed at Pakistan's door,'' said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tasneem Aslam at a press conference.

''It showed their frustration over failing to deal with the internal security situation,'' she said, recalling the allegations that infiltration by remnants of Taliban is taking place from Pakistan.

There have been repeated statements from the Afghan side blaming Pakistan for the conflict in Afghanistan, which has claimed over 250 human lives.

''The fact is that the conflict situation has continued in Afghanistan for many years,'' Ms Aslam said, and added that killing of scores of people in skirmishes in different parts of Afghanistan in the recent days ''points to the continuation of this situation''.

She said the fact that Taliban were operating inside Afghanistan was evident from their involvement in these skirmishes and also from their statements made in Afghanistan.

The unfortunate situation in Afghanistan has compounded over the years, as apart from Taliban, the war-lords continue to wield influence, she said while adding that the problems of drugs and gun-running remained acute, causing problems for neighbours.

Responsible observers, who have been involved in the Afghan situation, believe that the ongoing conflict is due to the weakness of Afghan institutions and not because of Pakistan, Ms Aslam stressed.

''Pakistan is also suffering the consequences of infiltration by terrorist elements from Afghan side,'' she said.

''Elements hostile to Pakistan were using Afghan territory with impunity to carry out terrorist acts on our territory,'' she added.

UNI XC VJ AK DB1958