International

Islamabad denies it meddled in Afghanistan, Kashmir

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD Feb. 21. Pakistan has denied the report in the New York Times that it has closed down the ISI cell dealing with Afghanistan and partially disbanded the Kashmir unit as `motivated and tendentious' and rejected the allegations that it meddled in the affairs of neighbouring countries though its intelligence agency.

Commenting on the report, the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Aziz Ahmed Khan told a news conference here today that it was wrong to presume that the Kashmir struggle prolonged this long because of interference from organisations and groups from outside.

He asserted that it was `unthinkable' for Pakistan to foment trouble in Afghanistan as any trouble there directly affected Pakistan.

Mr. Khan contended that the `struggle' in Kashmir was indigenous and over 75,000 people have laid down their lives. He said such a large number of people would not have attained "martyrdom'' without local support.

``It is a genuine struggle. So, to say that it was being done at the behest of some organisation or group is wrong.

It is an indigenous struggle of the Kashmiri people for the right of self- determination''

On the situation before September 11 in Afghanistan the spokesman said Pakistan treated civil war in the country as an internal matter of Afghanistan.

"There was factional fighting for years. It was important for Pakistan that durable peace comes to Afghanistan as soon as possible. Because, disturbed conditions and lack of peace in Afghanistan directly affects Pakistan. We are the worst affected when there is any kind of turmoil in Afghanistan.

For Pakistan it is important that durable peace is established quickly''.

In another development the United States will provide $50 million in aid to Pakistan besides technical support under a 10-year plan to stabilise democracy and strengthen the political and democratic institutions in the country.

Local media reports said that under the plan both the major political parties of the U.S. would open their offices in Pakistan to provide training to political workers and activists here.

Local news agency SANA quoting sources said the Democratic Party has already opened its office in Pakistan for the purpose.

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