UNITED NATIONS: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Wednesday said tensions with Afghanistan were not in interest of either country and Pakistan would continue efforts for the Afghan reconciliation process aimed at bringing peace and stability to the region.
Addressing the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, the Prime Minister said Pakistan had made strenuous efforts to facilitate the process of Afghan reconciliation, initiated in response to the request from the Afghan Government and with the support of the international community.
"We can, however, do so only if we receive the required cooperation from the Afghan government. Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan are in neither country's interests," he added.
The Prime Minister's remarks come in the wake of recent spate of allegations by senior Afghan officials, following the fall of Afghan province of Kunduz to the Taliban.
Pakistan on Tuesday said Afghanistan was being run by a democratically elected and legitimate government and termed "occupation of its territory by any group unacceptable."
He referred to the initiation of a dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban and described it as an "unprecedented first." He, however, regretted that it was unfortunate that certain developments stalled the process.
Nawaz Sharif also mentioned the intensification of the militant attacks in Afghanistan and said Pakistan "unequivocally condemns" these.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan-Afghan relations underwent a positive transformation after the advent of the National Unity Government in Kabul.
"We are encouraged that the international community, including the major powers, desire continuation of the peace process in Afghanistan."
The Prime Minister said Pakistan would persist with its endeavour to help resume the dialogue process and promote peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry earlier said "blame game" between the two countries was not in interest of any country.
"The solution does not lie in blame game, rather it lies in cooperation," the Foreign Secretary said.
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