Neighbours should refrain from indulging in Afghanistan’s internal issues: Qureshi

KABUL - In an apparent hint towards India, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Memhood Qureshi has said all regional countries have a special responsibility towards Afghanistan, and that they must refrain from indulging in the internal issues of Kabul.

“They (neighbouring countries) must pledge not to interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. They must ensure that their territories are not used for destabilising activities against any country,” The Daily Times quoted Qureshi, as saying.

Speaking during the International Donors Conference on Afghanistan here, Qureshi said Islamabad is ready to support Kabul’s reconciliation efforts in order to establish peace in the country.

He added that the framework for “transition” of security responsibilities from NATO to the Afghan forces require capacity building of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police, which would require time.

“We believe that transition should be a gradual process based on ground realities and not on calendar and deadlines,” Qureshi said while referring to President Obama’s July 2011 deadline for starting pulling out troops from the country. (ANI)