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Pakistan on Monday rejected allegations by the Afghan government that its intelligence agency could be behind an attack on a five-star hotel in capital Kabul.
The Afghan Taliban had claimed responsibility for the attack on Hotel Serena which killed at least nine people including a journalist and his family members.
Afghanistan's intelligence agency, the National Directorate for Security (NDS), in a veiled reference to Pakistan, said the " operation had been implemented by foreign intelligence agencies."
A statement from the Afghan Presidential Palace said that another report of the NDS reveals that recently a Pakistani diplomat who frequented the Kabul Serena Hotel for using sport club there had filmed the corridors of the hotel which was objected by the hotel employees.
Pakistan angrily rejected the allegations, saying, "It is highly disturbing that attempts are being made to somehow implicate Pakistan in this terrorist incident.
"We reject the insinuation. The tendency to immediately blame Pakistan is unhelpful and should be discarded," the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Pakistan remains committed to building a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with Afghanistan. This, however, requires a conducive environment for constructive engagement."
The ministry said it is surprised to see the Afghan Interior Ministry expressing concern over the recently-initiated dialogue process with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, even though the Afghan leadership, at the highest level, has been expressing its support for this initiative.
"As for the Afghan elections, Pakistan has repeatedly underlined its support for efforts to ensure a free and fair electoral process."
The statement said Pakistan has condemned the terrorist attack on the hotel in Kabul, which also left a Pakistani national seriously injured.
