Controversial parts of Durand Line not being fenced: Aziz

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan, a senior diplomat said on Wednesday.

Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, addressing a conference in Islamabad, claimed fencing the British-era Durand Line would help curb terrorism on both sides.

Islamabad had frustrated efforts by the Islamic State (Daesh) to find a foothold on its soil, the advisor said, adding terrorism incidents in Pakistan had fallen by 70 percent.

Pakistan believes in policy of going after terrorists without any discrimination. Aziz said, rejecting the impression that the Haqqani network was being dealt with leniently.

Cooperation between Islamabad and Washington was vital to defeating the menace of terrorism and bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan and the region at large, he stressed.

US Ambassador David Hale, who also spoke at the event, called for fighting terrorism, fostering economic growth, investment and building a more stable and prosperous region, including Afghanistan,.

He said the United States acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war on terror. Relations between the two nations were resilient and Pakistan’s success was of great strategic interest to the US, he added.

Sartaj Aziz said that cooperation between the two countries was vital to defeat the menace of terrorism and bring peace and stability to Afghanistan and the region.

Speaking on the occasion, US Ambassador David Hale stressed the need for enhanced cooperation on shared national interests to benefit the people of both the countries.

He said these shared interests included fighting terrorism, fostering economic growth, investment and building a more stable and prosperous region including Afghanistan.

mud