In-focus

Pakistan

Durrand Line is an international border, says FO spokesman

Dunya News

Foreign Office says Pakistan and US have differences over drone strikes.

During a weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesman Moazzam Ahmad Khan said on Thursday that Duran Line is a closed and settled issue.He said Islamabad regards Durrand Line as an international border so does the international community.Reacting to statements emanating from Kabul against Pakistan‚ the spokesman said Pakistan wants to promote good neighborly relations with Afghanistan on the basis of mutual respect and interest. He said there is a need to engage in a mature and responsible dialogue to sort out all the issues.Moazzam said peace and stability in Afghanistan is in Pakistans interest and expressed the confidence that issues between the two neighbors will be resolved through different channels of dialogue. He said Pakistans commitment to the fight against terror is beyond any doubt.When asked about stance of two US presidential candidates on drone strikes‚ the spokesman said these are illegal‚ counterproductive and violation of our territorial integrity.He admitted that both the countries share divergent views on this issue but hoped that this can be resolved mutually. He said Pakistan has good relations with the US and wants to further deepen them.The Foreign spokesman said that Pakistan has handed down dossier about presence of a Pakistani Taliban commander Mullah Fazallullah in Afghanistan to the Afghan government and International Security Assistance Force.