Pakistan satisfied with security assurances by IEA: Iftikhar

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations director general, Major General Babar Iftikhar said Islamabad is satisfied with the assurances by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) that they will not allow any group to use Afghan territory to carry out terrorist activities against any country, including Pakistan.

In an interview with Urdu News, Iftikhar said: “The Taliban (IEA) have reiterated on several occasions that no group or terrorist organisation will be allowed to use Afghan territory for any terrorist activity against any country, including Pakistan. We have no reason to doubt their intentions, and that is why we are in constant touch with them to protect our national interest.”

Iftikhar also said there have been discussions between Pakistani authorities and the IEA about new border control measures in order to prevent “undesired elements” from crossing the border into Pakistan.

He also said progress has been made in fencing the 2,600-km-long border with Afghanistan.

“Our goal has always been better management on this side of the border. Fencing the Pakistan-Afghan border was a major responsibility due to the region’s terrain and other difficulties.

“Despite all the difficulties, Pakistan has completed the fencing work on 90 percent of the border. Border management is constantly improving and we are hopeful that it will be fully secured in the near future,” he said.