KABUL - Confirming the presence of the so-called Islamic State group in three provinces, the unity government on Sunday said Pakistan had brought no changes to its relations with Afghanistan despite recent pledges.

Spokesmen for President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah told a joint press conference in Kabul the Islamic State group would be eliminated wherever surfaced.

Abdullah’s spokesman Javed Faisal said the Afghan government had always tried to maintain good relations with Pakistan and Iran and had been expecting the same from the two neighbouring states.

“We expect the same good relations from Pakistan, but unfortunately all the hopes the Afghan government had from Pakistan are fading away.”

He said the national unity government since its formation had been working to overcome the trust deficit with Pakistan, but it seemed one-sided affairs.

Similarly, President Ghani’s deputy spokesman Syed Zafar Hashmi said the Afghan government had adopted an exclusive policy for peace talks with the rebels. He said the ground for such parleys was yet to be paved.

“The policy is that talks with the opponents should direct, open and Afghan-led,” he said, welcoming efforts by every individual and country in this regard.

He said the government would be ready for peace talks with the insurgents only if the talks were direct, open and Afghan-led, but these conditions had not been met so far.

About the IS, Hashmi said the group had now a presence in at least three provinces --- Nangarhar, Farah and Helmand. He said the government was determined to drive the Syria and Iraq-based group out from Afghanistan.

“Our promise is that everyone who is shedding the blood of Afghans is our enemy. We will take action and eliminate such elements,” he said.

From now on, the deputy presidential spokesman said spokesmen of the ministries of defence and interior would daily provide information about Afghanistan’s security situation.

The spokesmen would address press conferences at the media centre at 1pm every day and spokesmen of other ministries would share information with the media on their turn, he said. (Pajhwok)