Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has categorically stated that any attempt from Afghanistan to disrupt peace in Pakistan has been and will continue to be met with a response.

He was addressing a seminar titled “Afghan Predicament and the Trajectory to Peace” in Islamabad today.

The Information Minister said Pakistan believes in peace and peaceful coexistence, highlighting the several rounds of negotiations held with the Afghan side to ensure peaceful relations between the two countries. He, however, regretted the lack of willingness on the Afghan side to achieve peace.

Attaullah Tarar said the Afghan interim government needs to move away from a militant mindset, asserting that the problems currently affecting relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan stem from this mindset.

The Information Minister said there are safe havens for terrorists and members of internationally proscribed organizations in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan has repeatedly conveyed its concerns over the use of Afghan soil for attacks against Pakistan. He said Pakistan has also responded through strikes in retaliation of the terrorist attacks.

Highlighting the region’s potential for increased trade if peace is achieved in Afghanistan, he said stability would contribute to greater prosperity for the peoples of the region.

Attaullah Tarar said the people of Afghanistan deserve a better and prosperous future. He emphasized that achieving this future requires a consensus within Afghanistan and ensuring that the Afghan people are given a voice to make their own choice. He said the people of Afghanistan truly deserve an environment where they are able to enjoy their basic rights.