Pakistan protests Afghan President Karzai's remarks on cross-border attack

Islamabad, June 17 PPI: Pakistan Monday protested over Afghan President Hamid Karzai's remarks on sending forces to Pakistan to fight local militants.

"It is regrettable that such a statement (of Karzai) was made at a time when the two
sides had agreed to close the ranks in the fight against terrorism," a Foreign
Office statement said.

"Pakistan shall defend its territorial sovereignty," it said, adding that "the only
way to win the war against terrorism and extremism is by showing full respect to the
territorial sovereignty and non interference in each others internal affairs."

The statement also demanded Afghanistan refrain from making irresponsible
threatening statements.

Karzai on Sunday told a news conference that Afghanistan had the right to
self-defense, and because militants crossover from Pakistan "to come and kill
Afghans and kill coalition troops, it exactly gives us the right to do the same."

Also on Monday, Pakistan's Foreign Office summoned the Afghan ambassador to Pakistan
to lodge protest regarding Karzai's statement.

In response to Karzai's statement, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said
Pakistan would not allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs.