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Gilani condemns Karzai’s statement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday rebuked Afghan President Hamid Karzai for accusing it of involvement in terrorist attacks inside Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani reiterated that a stable Afghanistan was in the interests of Pakistan and the entire region.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s office, before starting a meeting with his Cabinet in Lahore, Mr. Gilani made a statement condemning Mr. Karzai for alleging that Pakistan was involved in a series of terrorist attacks inside Afghanistan, including the Indian Embassy bombing.

Pakistan had provided “ all-out support” towards establishing a stable government in Kabul, Mr. Gilani said.

“Afghan leaders should not give such statements as it will hamper the development process in the region,” the Prime Minister said.

Pakistan is cut up about Kabul’s decision on Monday to cancel a series of upcoming bilateral meetings with it.

The decision to cancel the meetings was taken by the Afghan Cabinet. “The people of Afghanistan, the world, know very well that Pakistan’s intelligence agency and military have turned that country into the biggest exporter of terrorism and extremism to the world, particularly Afghanistan,” the Afghan Cabinet said in a statement.

Afghanistan was “compelled” to suspend its participation in upcoming meetings with Pakistan, the Cabinet said, adding that the would stay until “an atmosphere of bilateral trust is established.”

The Cabinet took the decision immediately after Mr. Karzai directly accused Pakistan of involvement in the recent terror attacks in his country.

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