Blasts in Quetta, Gwadar: Suicide attackers came from Afghanistan: Rashid

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Monday said the suicide attackers who perpetrated suicide bomb blasts in Quetta near the Frontier Constabulary (FC) checkpost and Gwadar came from Afghanistan.

Addressing a news conference, he said that both attackers have come from Afghanistan and have been identified. Taliban have assured Pakistan that they will not allow their land to be used against Pakistan, he said, adding that Pakistan want peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The minister said that Afghan politics would have an effect in the politics of this region. He welcomed Taliban's desire to become part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. The CPEC is the jugular vein of Pakistan's economy, and the friendship between Pakistan and China is higher than the Himalayas.

Responding to question about the influx of refugees from Afghanistan, the minister said the government would decide the fate of Afghans who entered into the country without any valid travel document. There are no new refugee camps in Pakistan and old pictures are being shown to the world, he said.

About the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief General Faiz Hameed's recent visit to Kabul, he said that the ISI chief remained on Indian media as if he was on India visit and not on a visit to Kabul. People of other countries are also going to Afghanistan, he said.

The minister said that India had to bite the dust in Afghanistan with all its designs to disturb Pakistan falling flat. India had set up 66 training centres in Afghanistan, he said, adding that India has faced defeat in Afghanistan. He said that he visited Torkham border and the situation is normal there and issues at Chaman border would be resolved on September 12.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021