Pakistan on Thursday cautioned that Afghanistan and India should avoid taking steps that may affect stability in the region. The statement came after Kabul and New Delhi signed a wide-ranging strategic partnership agreement on Wednesday.
“It is the sovereign right of all countries to have the kind of bilateral relations that they wish. For us, the most important thing is the importance we attach to regional stability, which should not be disrupted in any way,” foreign ministry spokesperson Tehmina Janjua told reporters here.
“We continue to look at the agreement signed between Afghanistan and India,” Janjua said in reply to a question about the possible implications of the deal for Pakistan.
Kabul had earlier claimed that the suicide bomber, who killed former president Rabbani, was a Pakistani national and had connections with the Quetta Shuhra. But the foreign ministry spokeswoman strongly rejected the charge urging Afghanistan to act responsibly and stop the blame game.
"It is our expectation that everyone, especially those in a position of authority in Afghanistan, will demonstrate maturity and responsibility," she said, adding. "This is no time for point-scoring, playing politics or grandstanding."