Pak asks Afghanistan to stop use of its soil for fanning insurgency in Balochistan

Islamabad, June 26 (ANI): In an apparent reference to India's alleged role in fanning insurgency in Balochistan, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has asked Afghanistan to ensure that its territory is not used by any other country to destabilise Pakistan.

Talking to Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul, Gilani said both countries must work together to counter the common challenges facing them, and reduce the existing misunderstandings.

While clarifying that Islamabad would not interfere in Kabul's internal issues, Gilani said he would lend all support to the Afghan reconciliation efforts.

"Pakistan consistently supported the Afghan-led process of reconciliation and integration as its neighbour, sharing culture, values and traditions," The Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

During the meeting Rassoul assured Gilani that the Afghan government would never allow any country to use its territory against Pakistan.

"Afghanistan needs Pakistan's support in the implementation of its strategy of reconciliation and reintegration," Rassoul said.

Later, Rassoul also met President Asif Ali Zardari who stressed that a 'stable, prosperous and peaceful Afghanistan was in the interests of Pakistan'.

Zardari also backed the Afghan-led political reconciliation process and efforts to bring peace in the war torn country and in the region.

Briefing the media about the meeting, Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said matters relating to Pak-Afghan bilateral relations, the security situation in Afghanistan, the Afghan Peace Jirga, the Kabul Conference, and the regional situation were discussed between the two leaders.

Babar said Islamabad has also assured Kabul that it is committed to the early finalization of Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement. (ANI)