Afghan, Indian intelligence agencies fanning terrorism in Pakistan, NA informed

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Tuesday that Afghan and Indian intelligence agencies are fanning terrorism in Pakistan.

The NA held discussion on foreign policy of the government following a motion moved by Shahida Rehmani.

Opposition members criticized the foreign policy of the government and alleged that Pakistan is being isolated at world level. They said that if India is involved in terrorism incidents in Pakistan then Wagah border should be closed.

They said India wants to sabotage China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). They said closure of Pak-Afghan border will not help eliminate terrorism. They said that peace in Pakistan is imperative for peace in Afghanistan.

Winding up the debate on foreign policy, Minister of States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch says negotiations are going on with Afghanistan and hoped that matters relating to border issues will be resolved soon.

He said Afghanistan has approached us and things are being discussed. He said Pakistan is ready to remove reservations of Afghanistan. However, he said, if Afghanistan wants to have relations with Pakistan as dictated by India, it is not acceptable.

He said we are also ready to provide port, health and other facilities to Afghanistan. He said we are ready to take steps to have better relations with Afghanistan but on equal basis.

The minister pointed out that unfortunately relations with Afghanistan have never been good except three to four years.  He said Afghanistan is following pro-Indian policies.

The minister said the government has tried to remove reservations of Afghanistan in the past and for this purpose Afghan leadership were given briefings.

He said Pak-Afghan border was closed to stop movement of terrorists. He said Afghan intelligence and Indian intelligence agencies are supporting Ahrar terror group for carrying out terrorist activities in Pakistan.

Abdul Qadir Baloch said Afghanistan boycotted SAARC Summit scheduled in Pakistan on India’s direction and sent its ambassador in ECO Summit.

He said Pakistan is still hosting three million Afghan refugees and added that their voluntary and dignified repatriation will be ensured.

Abdul Qadir Baloch said foreign policy objectives are being pursued on the basis of equality.

He said the Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz is handling foreign policy matters in a good manner. He pointed out that opposition members passed negative remarks about Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan and India which means that Pakistan has good relations with other countries particularly Islamic countries.

He said members should give their suggestions and the government would accommodate them for improving the foreign policy.

The members of opposition parties demanded that foreign policy should be reviewed and good neighbourly relations particularly with Afghanistan should be promoted.

They also demanded for taking inputs from the House for formulating foreign policy.  They said independent foreign minister should be appointed. They said that a Transport Ministry should be established to take full benefit of CPEC. They appreciated decisions taken in the recently held ECO Summit and stressed for their implementation.

Treasury members paid tribute to the government and security forces for holding PSL final successfully and said it will pave way for international cricket in Pakistan. They said CPEC is a proof of Government’s successful foreign policy.

Members from treasury benches said ECO Summit is not only a success for Pakistan but for the whole region and it will help boost trade. They said credit goes to the Government that China is investing forty-six billion dollars in Pakistan.

They said many countries have shown interest for joining in CPEC. They said the Government is effectively highlighting the Kashmir dispute and atrocities being perpetrated by Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir at world fora.

Shahida Rehmani, Dr. Shireen Mazari, Naeema Kishwar, Sheikh Salahuddin, Shah Jee Gul Afridi, Mian Abdul Mannan, Shazia Marri, Malik Muhammad Uzair, Ayesha Gulalai and Syed Ali Raza Abidi took part in the debate.