ISLAMABAD, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Monday angrily reacted to statements by Afghan leaders that Taliban militants were operating from Pakistani territory, saying the "Afghan government's failure to deal with the situation cannot be placed at Pakistan's door."

    Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta said on Sunday that Taliban militants were directing attacks from Pakistan.

    "These accusations only show frustration at not being able to address the internal security situation," Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam said at a weekly press briefing on Monday.

    "Pakistan is also suffering the consequences of infiltration by terrorist elements from Afghan side," the spokeswoman said, adding that elements hostile to Pakistan were using Afghan territory with impunity to carry out terrorist acts on Pakistani territory.

    She said that the situation posed a difficult challenge but Pakistan was dealing with it in the best possible manner, and Islamabad expected the same degree of commitment from the other side.

    "Blaming Pakistan for the internal unrest in Afghanistan would help no one. Afghan government has to address this situation politically," she said, adding that the fact was that the conflict situation had continued in Afghanistan for many years.

    The spokeswoman said the killing of scores of people in skirmishes in different parts of Afghanistan in the recent days pointed to the continuation of this situation.

    "Taliban operating inside Afghanistan is evident from their involvement in these skirmishes and also from their statements made in Afghanistan," she said.

    Aslam said that the unfortunate situation in Afghanistan had compounded over the years. Apart from Taliban militants, the war-lords continued to wield influence.

    "The problems of drugs and gun-running remain acute causing problems for neighbors. Responsible observers who have been involved in the Afghan situation believe that the ongoing conflict is due to the weakness of Afghan institutions and not because of Pakistan," she said.

    She said that for interdicting such undesirable acts including the supply of weapons, Pakistan has consistently made suggestions which include increased coordination within the framework of the Trilateral Commission, prompt intelligence sharing, fencing of the international border, and serious endeavors for the return of all refugees.

    Pakistan has also recently proposed regular meetings at the foreign minister level, Aslam said.

    "The present situation in Afghanistan can only be addressed through a political process. This was the purpose of the Bonn Agreement which Pakistan fully supported and facilitated its implementation," she said.

    She recalled that Pakistan facilitated the participation of Afghan refugees in the presidential elections. Pakistan's positive and important role in fulfillment of the Bonn process was acknowledged by Afghan leaders including President Hamid Karzai aswell as by the international community.

    "Pakistan desires a stable Afghanistan, which is vital importance to Pakistan," she said.

    She said that Pakistan had deployed more than 80,000 troops on its western border, conducted over 75 operations and established 800 border posts.

    "We have done more than any other country to fight terrorism. More of our soldiers have sacrificed their lives than both the Afghan and ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) troops combined," she said.

    The international community had to help reconstruction to strengthen the political process. There was need to step up national reconciliation and encourage all segments of the Afghan society to participate in the political process and create political harmony, she said.

    "We wanted the Afghan government to succeed, as that would expedite the return of refugees who remain an enormous burden on our society," she added.

    She urged the Afghan government to create conditions for the return of close to 3 million Afghan refugees. Enditem