Pakistan says no military solution to Afghan conflict

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nafees Zakaria at his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday said an enduring solution of the conflict can only be achieved through reconciliation and peace talks.

He said Pakistan appreciates the dialogue initiative between Hizb-e-Islami and the Afghan government.

About media reports suggesting America's possible tougher policy towards Pakistan on the pretext of supporting some militant groups, the spokesman said this misperception has been created through media propaganda.

He said Pakistan prefers to discuss such issues through channels other than media.

The spokesman, however, said Pakistan's contribution to war on terror, its sacrifices and successes are unmatched and it does not need certification from others on this account.

He said Pakistan has been engaged in military operations to wipe out terrorists without any discrimination.

Commenting on Afghan refugees in Pakistan, he said: We want Afghan refugees to return back voluntarily with honor, he added.

Zakaria reiterated that Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees for the last four decades and stressed that the country did not force any Afghan refugee to leave the country.

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