Afghanistan shouldn't let in fleeing terrorists: Pakistan

Pakistan today said terrorists fleeing its tribal areas due to ongoing air strikes should not find refuge in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Military action against terrorists on the ground is in progress and Pakistan expects the Afghan government and those managing security in Afghanistan to fulfil their responsibility in this regard, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told a weekly news briefing.
Pakistan has assured all its neighbours that it has adopted the policy that its soil would not be used against them and their soil should also not be used against Pakistan, she said.
At a recent trilateral summit, Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan reiterated their commitment to not allow their soil to be used against the national interests of each other, Aslam said.

The Pakistan government recently suspended a peace process with the Taliban after militants executed 23 troops kidnapped in 2010. Since then, combat jets have targeted Taliban hideouts in the tribal areas and killed nearly 100 militants.
Aslam said Pakistan has repeatedly emphasised the need for better border management. During a recent visit to Kabul, Pakistan's Interior Secretary had fruitful talks and subsequent meetings would lead to steps for better management of the border, she said.

On the issue of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, she said Tehran had not been able to meet its obligations related to providing a credit line to Islamabad for the venture due to international sanctions.

According to an agreement, Iran was to provide a credit line but informed Pakistan sometime back that it would unable to do so due to the sanctions, she said.
Aslam said no company or consortium has evinced interest in getting involved in the project due to sanctions.
She said the process is still underway between Iran and international powers to resolve the issue through negotiations and Pakistan could then move ahead on the pipeline.
Aslam also rejected speculation that Pakistan intends to supply arms to Syrian rebels.
She said Pakistan sells arms to states, and not entities, strictly in accordance with principles of the UN Charter and under the recognition of the right of states to protect their security.

Pakistan is persistently and strongly opposed to regime change from outside through any means, she added.
On the death of Pakistani prisoner Shaukat Ali in an Indian jail in Jammu, she said Islamabad has asked New Delhi to probe the incident.