ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Thursday that recent engagements with Afghanistan underscore Pakistan\u2019s desire for resolution of outstanding issues through dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, at a weekly media briefing, said recent meetings are \u201can expression of Pakistan\u2019s interest in dialogue to resolve any issues that arise from time to time and to find constructive approach and solutions to issues, including issues that are of serious concern to Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last week, Afghan charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb met<\/a> Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The meeting followed close on the heels of a meeting<\/a> between Pakistan\u2019s charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires in Kabul Obaid Nizamani and Taliban Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The back-to-back meetings gave the impression that the two sides were preparing for renewal of engagement after a period of tension caused by Pakistani allegations of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) being allowed sanctuaries on Afghan soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spokesperson Baloch had last week said<\/a> that counterterrorism was on top of the bilateral agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At this week\u2019s briefing, the spokesperson tried to reject any linkage between the two meetings, insisting that the Afghan diplomat\u2019s meeting with Ishaq Dar was a courtesy call for which the Afghan side had made a request some time back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, she emphasised that Islamabad has always advocated for engagement and constructive dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Repeating concerns about TTP sanctuaries<\/a> on Afghan soil, the spokesperson said: \u201cPakistan\u2019s concerns with regards to the terror groups, which have found hideouts inside Afghanistan and are operating with impunity against Pakistan, remain on the agenda between Pakistan and Afghanistan. We have always emphasised dialogue to resolve these issues. We expect Afghanistan to ensure that these terror groups do not pose a threat to Pakistan\u2019s security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Syria\u2019s sovereignty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The FO spokesperson said Pakistan was concerned about violations<\/a> of Syria\u2019s sovereignty by Israel and called for an inclusive and comprehensive process for resolving the Syrian crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe express full support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Israel invaded Syria moving deeper into Golan Heights after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad\u2019s regime and has carried out nearly 500 attacks on military targets across Syria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n