Pakistan on Monday summoned the Afghan Chargé d’Affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and lodged a strong demarche following the recent terrorist attack in Karachi.
According to the Foreign Office, the demarche was issued after investigations indicated the involvement of Afghan nationals, including the attacker who was arrested in connection with the incident. The Foreign Office said Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul also delivered a similar demarche to the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Office stated that the attack demonstrates that Afghan nationals continue to be used for terrorist activities inside Pakistan. Pakistan urged the Afghan authorities to take effective measures to prevent the use of Afghan territory and citizens for terrorism targeting Pakistan.
Earlier, Pakistan summoned the Afghan chargé d’affaires to the Foreign Office and lodged a strong protest over the Bannu attack. During the meeting, Pakistani authorities handed over a formal protest letter to an Afghan official, expressing serious concerns over the incident.
According to the Foreign Office, fifteen security personnel were martyred, and four others were injured in a suicide attack carried out on May 9. Initial investigations suggest that the attack was planned by terrorists operating from Afghanistan.
Pakistan expressed serious concerns over the alleged use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan, calling the situation unacceptable.
Tahir Andrabi also said that the people living along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border desire peace, but terrorism originating from Afghanistan continues to undermine peace efforts.
He added that there are no major issues between the people of the two countries, but the Kabul administration has failed to stop militant activities from Afghan territory. He further said that Pakistan remains in contact with Somalia regarding the extradition of Pakistanis allegedly detained by pirates.
Also read: Pakistan issues demarche to Afghanistan over Bannu attack
