NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan cannot take responsibility for peace and security in Afghanistan, adding that effective border management with Afghanistan is imperative to stop infiltration of terrorists.

Speaking at the Asia Society seminar in New York, the minister said that the United States cannot succeed in Afghanistan by waging war. He said that 16 years ongoing war in Afghanistan shows peace can be restored in Afghanistan only through a negotiated settlement.

Asif said that no one desires peace in Afghanistan more than Pakistan, but that a number of Afghan leaders want to continue status quo for their vested interests.

Dismissing accusations of safe havens for terrorists in Pakistan, the minister said it is Afghanistan which harbours these safe havens.

The minister blamed India for carrying out terrorist activities in Pakistan through Afghanistan, saying that more than 66 terrorist organisations are active inside India.

This was originally published in The News