ISLAMABAD:
National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf said on Thursday that Pakistan wanted peace in the region, particularly in Afghanistan as it should be a priority of all stakeholders and key partners.
The NSA, in an interview with Cable News Network (CNN), said instead of waiting for security and humanitarian crises to arise, the global powers should work with Afghanistan to prevent it.
Moeed said that enemies of the country will not be allowed to destabilise Pakistan. “We will not compromise on the integrity and sovereignty of our country.” The NSA said that the world should establish contacts with the Taliban for lasting peace in Afghanistan.
By leaving Afghanistan alone, the mistakes of the 1990s should not be repeated, he underlined. Moeed said that Pakistan was facing problems due to instability in Afghanistan.
“Since 9/11, Pakistan has borne the brunt with more than 80,000 casualties and more than $150 billion in economic losses, while 3.5 million people have been displaced due to the terrorist insurgency,” he noted.
Read Pakistan urges world to support Afghanistan to avoid past mistakes
Moeed Yusuf said that, “We are committed to peace in Afghanistan and will continue to work for peace and stability, but only under the international legal framework.” He said there will be no compromise on the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan as it was paramount.
Replying to a question, he said that the former government of Afghanistan had been trying to blame Pakistan for its weaknesses and failures.
“India is involved in negative propaganda against Pakistan,” he said, adding that the video of a plane being propagated in the Indian media was the video of the flight of the American plane in the UK. He said that India’s fake news network in the international media was already exposed.
Moeed said Pakistan was committed to securing its borders due to instability in Afghanistan and preventing terrorists from entering its territory. He further added that Pakistan is providing all possible assistance to the international community in the evacuation operation.
He said the Taliban had assured the world that Afghanistan’s territory will not be allowed to be used against any country. He said that Afghans and Pakistanis are brothers and their relationship spanned over centuries.