Islamabad: Peace and stability in Afghanistan is imperative for peace in the whole region, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday.
Speaking to media representatives, he said no country should interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan for peace to prevail in that country.
He said Pakistan would play its role in helping Afghanistan achieve peace but it would not interfere in the internal affairs of the neighbour.
Former president Pervez Musharraf, in an interview with an international news agency earlier this month, has warned that departure of Nato combat forces from Afghanistan could push India and Pakistan towards a proxy war in the troubled state.
Asif also said Pakistan and India could resolve their disputes through dialogue and should adopt the path of negotiation.
He said Pakistan desires peace with India but this desire should not be construed as a sign of weakness.
Asif said soon after taking over the government last year, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had expressed his desire for peace with India.
However, for the last few months this desire has been misconceived by the other side, he said, referring to recurring “unprovoked firing” by Indian troops across the Line of Control in Kashmir.
Sharif, who left on Tuesday for Kathmandu to attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit, is expected to meet leaders of member states on the sidelines.
No meeting is, however, scheduled meeting between Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in the Nepalese capital.
