Beijing: China's new special envoy to Afghanistan today gave a clean chit to Pakistan and its powerful spy agency ISI amid allegations that they backed terrorist outfits.
“The Pakistan government has done a lot of positive contribution to the fight against terrorism,” Sun Yuxi told his first media conference here.
He was replying to a question about the allegations of involvement of Pakistan based groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the attack on Indian Consulate in Herat in May and whether China will engage with Pakistan to bring such groups under control.
“I believe that in future the Pakistan government will play an important and positive role in the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan and fight terrorism together with the international community,” said Sun, a former Chinese Ambassador to India who famously asserted China's claims over Arunachal Pradesh in 2006 ahead of the then Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to New Delhi.
About allegations that ISI was behind the attack on the Indian Consulate in Herat, Sun said “I think as an agency for the government and for the military of Pakistan, the ISI has been effective in fighting against terrorism”.
“As for the specific case I have not been following the developments for some time,” he said. “But I do believe that the Pakistan government or any responsible agency of Pakistan will only fight against terrorism instead of being involved with any terrorist groups,” Sun, who was also previously worked as Ambassador in Afghanistan besides Italy and Poland, said.
Sun said he will be closely coordinating with India and Pakistan to bring about peaceful transition to Afghanistan as US and NATO troops set to withdraw from that volatile country by 2016.
“As a special envoy I will keep a close working relationship with my counterparts in Pakistan and India as to contribute to peace and to fight against terrorism in both countries,” he said.
“I also want to tell my colleagues from India and Pakistan that both countries are making efforts so as to safeguard peace and stability in Afghanistan and helping its reconstruction,” he said.
