ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday rejected allegations from Kabul that it was involved in terrorist attacks and insurgent activities on Afghan soil. Foreign office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said in her weekly briefing that Afghanistan has been continuously maligning Pakistan’s national security institutions unabated.

“We categorically reject Afghan allegations of involvement in terrorist attacks, insurgent activities or cross-border shelling. We also firmly reject any statements casting aspersions on Pakistan’s commitment to fight terrorism,” Aslam said. She said that terrorism is a common enemy afflicting the whole region and concerted efforts must be made by all sides for combating it effectively.

“Levelling baseless allegations serves no useful purpose. It rather benefits the enemies of peace and undermines the prospects of a cordial relationship between peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan,” she said. Aslam emphasized that the launch of Operation ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ in North Waziristan is the clearest reflection of Pakistan’s resolve to fight terrorism.

She also said that Pakistan remains committed to building friendly and good-neighbourly relations with Afghanistan based on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries. She hoped that Kabul would reciprocate to Islamabad’s policy of restraint and responsibility and its continued efforts for constructive engagement.

On the violence in Gaza, Aslam said that PM Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned Israel‘s actions and reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing support to the cause of Palestine. “He also announced US$ 1 million for emergency humanitarian assistance for the affected people of Gaza,” she said.