Pakistan FM rejects Afghan President's allegations

ISLAMABAD, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Khursheed Mahmood Kasuri on Friday categorically rejected the allegations by Afghan President and other Afghan officials that Pakistan was supporting Taliban activities, saying Pakistan should not be blamed for what is happening inside Afghanistan.

He was winding up debate on Pakistan's foreign policy in the Senate after a comprehensive debate on the matter.

"Pakistan is actively working with Kabul in coordinating and sharing intelligence in the fight against terrorism," the foreign minister said.

He categorically rejected the allegations that Pakistan was supporting Taliban activities.

"The situation in Afghanistan should not be blamed on Pakistan, which has been hosting over 3 million Afghan refugees for years," he said.

He said that trade with Kabul was expanding and was expected to touch 1.5 billion U.S. dollars mark and "our desire was to see stability, peace and security in that country as it was in Pakistan's own national interest."

On the foreign policy, Kasuri said: "Pakistan's foreign policy is dictated by its own national interests based on sovereign equality and not by any other country."

"The country's foreign policy is based on forging excellent bilateral ties with the major world players including the United States, China, Russia, the European Union, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) member states and other regional groupings."

Kasuri said Pakistan had long-term strategic ties with the United States but dispelled any impression that Pakistan's foreign policy was in any way influenced by the U.S. interests. Enditem