Fiery response: Kabul fends off terror sanctuary charge

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan hit out at Pakistan on Friday for allowing ‘terrorists’ training centres and sanctuaries on its soil a day after Islamabad cautioned Kabul against permitting militants to take shelter across the border during any military operation in the Waziristan tribal region. The problem of ‘terrorism and extremism in the region’ originates from Pakistan, Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Shakeeb Mustaghni said.

On Thursday, Pakistani foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam urged Afghanistan not to allow militants to enter its territory in the wake of airstrikes in the tribal region. In a statement issued on Friday, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said, “Pakistan has hideouts and training centres for terrorists and extremists for years and attacks have been launched into Afghanistan from there that have caused casualties.” Afghanistan, the ministry added, has always called for ‘sincere and practical’ cooperation with Pakistan to fight terrorism and extremism. The Dari version of the statement was received by The Express Tribune in Islamabad. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were strained after Islamabad protested against the execution of 23 security personnel by Pakistani Taliban on Afghan soil. Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2014.