ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has nominated the recent reflections of the Afghan deputy foreign minister as ‘ against the spirit of friendly relations’, and stressed the need for interim Afghan authorities to take the necessary way to address transnational prospects and enterprises.
The views were expressed by Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar at the daily media briefing then on Friday, in response to a question regarding the statement of Sher Abbas Stanikzai, a week after PM Shehbaz Sharif participated the concern of the transnational community regarding pitfalls posed by terrorist groups operating from the neighbouring country, during an address to the UN General Assembly.
The PM’s speech, still provoked a sharp reproach from the Taliban, with Stanikzai claiming on Sept 27 that Islamabad was “entering millions of bones” from Washington to allow American drones to conduct breakouts over Afghanistan.
“How long can we tolerate this?” he asked a gathering in Kabul. However, no bone will be suitable to stop us, “If we rise against this. ”
In response to the question about his comment, the FO spokesperson said “This is veritably unfortunate and inferior. We’ve noted with concern, these recent reflections. We consider similar statements as against the spirit of friendly relations between our two fraternal countries. Pakistan’s part in easing peace in Afghanistan, and our sweats to strengthen bilateral ties are well known, and they’re conceded extensively.”
“We believe that for the success of positive engagement, it’s important that the interim Afghan authorities take necessary way to address transnational prospects and enterprises. For its part, Pakistan will continue to pursue positive engagement with Afghanistan for peace, substance, and progress of the two countries and the wider region.”
About the blameworthiness of hindrance in Afghanistan’s internal issues, the FO spokesperson said, “Obviously there’s no hindrance in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. On the negative, our Afghan musketeers are well apprehensive of Pakistan’s support and advocacy for Afghanistan, for the transnational community to engage appreciatively and constructively with Afghanistan, given the serious challenges, the profitable situation, and the philanthropic situation that’s faced by the Afghan people.
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‘Look after’ charge
Meanwhile, the government on Friday assigned Special Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jauhar Saleem, to “look after” the liabilities of the foreign clerks. “Mr Jauhar Saleem, a BS- 22 officers of Foreign Service of Pakistan, presently posted as Special Secretary Europe, is assigned look after charge of the post of Secretary, Foreign Affairs Division, in addition to his own duties, with immediate effect and until farther order,” an announcement issued by Establishment Division read.
Interestingly, Establishment Division had through an office memorandum dated April 9, 2021, which also was circulated among all ministries and divisions, stated that “there is no provision of look after charge in Civil retainers Act, 1973 and Rules made thereunder.”
An officer, it had clarified, can only be deputized to take care of the work of another post pertaining to ministry/ division’s day-to-day affairs of critical and routine nature through an internal arrangement.
This arrangement is temporary and the person given such a charge isn’t given full decision timber, fiscal, and legal powers vested in that office.
Before in the day, it was rumored that Mr Saleem had been given acting charge, which is technically different from a ‘look after’ charge.
While Sohail Mahmood, the former foreign clerk, retired on Thursday, the government has not named a full-time successor yet. The government, according to sources, had planned to appoint Amb Asad Majeed Khan, presently minister to Belgium, the EU, and Luxembourg. He’d reportedly been called back to Islamabad to replace Mr Mahmood.
Still, recent audio leaks have upset the planned transition as there are suggestions that the government may open an inquiry into the string transferred by Amb Khan, the also envoy to the US, on his farewell meeting with Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu.
Following the leaks, the government seems interested in probing Mr Khan’s part in allegedly manipulating the political string for political purposes. However, Amb Khan would have to be delved also, If the inquiry starts.
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