ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has called on the international community to play a proactive role in stopping Indian-backed terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, reiterating its commitment to diplomacy while reserving the right to self-defence.
In a weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated that Pakistan believes in dialogue and peaceful resolution of issues, but reserves the right to take appropriate action in self-defence against cross-border terrorism sponsored by India.
The Spokesperson expressed appreciation for the positive role played by brotherly neighbouring countries and the international community—including Saudi Arabia—in supporting efforts to resolve outstanding issues.
Board of Peace on Gaza
Responding to another question, Andrabi voiced Pakistan’s hope that the Board of Peace on Gaza would live up to expectations by taking concrete steps toward a permanent ceasefire, scaling up humanitarian aid for Palestinians, and facilitating the reconstruction of Gaza.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a credible, time-bound political process leading to the realisation of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, consistent with international legitimacy and relevant UN resolutions.
This, he said, should result in the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and contiguous State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
India leading state sponsor of terrorism
To a question, he said Pakistan has been consistently highlighting India’s involvement in extra-territorial assassination campaigns, which is not only confirmed in Pakistan but also spread across multiple countries, including the United States. Pakistan has also shared irrefutable, concrete evidence of Indian sponsorship of terrorism and the terrorist groups operating in Pakistan from across our borders.
“Besides being an epicentre of disinformation and misinformation, India has also become the leading state sponsor of terrorism under the current regime, in the garb of extremist Hindutva ideology. This is a worrying development, which we continue to follow,” he said.
Pakistan supports diplomatic approach on Iran
On Iran, he said Pakistan is supportive of peace diplomacy. “Our region cannot afford another war and this message will resonate in our interaction in Washington as well,” he said.
The diplomat reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people and their struggle for the right to self-determination with full political, moral, and diplomatic support.
He added that Pakistan has expressed its disappointment with the blockade of the SAARC process by India.
“We have done so a number of times, and we wish to reiterate it. This organisation in South Asia has been hijacked by India because of its political considerations,” he noted.
India weaponising water
On the Indus Waters Treaty, he said Pakistan is emphasising to India and to the world and to the World Bank and other relevant stakeholders is the fact that there is no provision of abeyance or walking away from the treaty.
“Any such action under international law merits serious repercussions in terms of a country’s legal obligations with respect to the treaties that it has signed,” he said.
Tahir Andrabi, the violation of the treaty carries certain consequences, and India should be prepared to face those consequences.
“We, on our part, remain firm that we will not let India weaponise water. We will not compromise on even a single drop of water that the Indus Water Treaty allows us to have. We will not compromise on the water rights of the people of Pakistan,” he said.
