ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday called upon Afghan authorities to take action against terror groups that have found sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, said Pakistan on several occasions, shared concrete evidence with the Afghan authorities, with regard to terror groups and their operations in Afghanistan and their continued threat to the security of Pakistan.
“We are concerned about continued freedom of operation of terror groups that have found hideouts in Afghanistan,” Baloch said. The spokesperson said the Government of Pakistan is deeply concerned about the support that terror groups receive from hostile powers.
She said there is at present, no proposal under consideration for the appointment of a Special Envoy on Afghanistan adding that the Additional Foreign Secretary for West Asia and Afghanistan continues to lead Pakistan’s engagement with Afghanistan and discussions with neighbouring countries of Afghanistan.
“We believe that terrorism is a threat not just for Afghanistan but also for neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, including Pakistan, as well as to the wider world,” Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said.
She hoped that the Afghan authorities would consider terrorism to be a serious threat, not just to the region, but also to their own security, and fulfil their obligations under various international agreements, including the Doha Agreement.
She added that Pakistan is committed to regional connectivity with Central Asia, including in the domain of energy and railway connectivity. Pakistan has also expressed support for the TAPI project, and we will continue to engage with countries of Central Asia and Afghanistan to make this project a reality.
Speaking on the Palestine issue, she said Pakistan welcomes the latest report of the UN Special Committee to investigate Israeli practices, released last week. The report describes Israel’s warfare practices in Gaza as acts of genocide and documents millions of civilian casualties and grievous conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians.
“Pakistan welcomes the Committee’s condemnation of the ongoing smear campaign and attacks against UNRWA and the United Nations, and supports its call on all Member States to uphold their legal obligations to prevent and stop Israeli violations of international law and holding it accountable,” she said.
“We regret the result of last night’s vote at the United Nations Security Council and its inability to reach consensus over the resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. We reiterate our call for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire; unhindered access to humanitarian assistance; and full support to UNRWA and its mandated humanitarian activities,” the spokesperson said.
Regarding the condition of the children of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), she stressed that the world should not forget the plight of the Kashmiri children who continue to live in an environment of fear and intimidation, as a result of ongoing Indian atrocities in the IIOJK.
The spokesperson noted that over 100,000 children have become orphans as a result of Indian operations in IIOJK.
She added that Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
The spokesperson went on to say President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko will undertake an official visit to Pakistan from 25-27 November 2024. She said the President will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and discuss areas of bilateral cooperation while several Agreements and MoUs will also be signed during the visit.
The official urged the Indian authorities to ensure the freedom of religion for all its nationals, including Muslims, to stop Islamophobic attacks and administrative restrictions against Muslims in India.
The spokesperson in her remarks regarding reports of some Pakistani nationals subjected to forced or bonded labour and torture in Cambodia and Myanmar said: We are aware of some cases of Pakistani nationals who are facing such situations in countries in East Asia and our relevant Embassies are in contact with the host governments, as well as with regional countries who are facing similar challenges with regards to human trafficking, bonded labour and forced labour.
“This is a human tragedy and the Government of Pakistan is committed to ensuring that all its nationals are freed and brought back to Pakistan,” she said.
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The spokesperson reiterated a request to Pakistani nationals who are offered any lucrative job opportunities to confirm the authenticity of such offers and companies before availing of job opportunities abroad.
Baloch stated that Pakistan remains closely engaged with the US authorities to discuss matters relating to security and terrorism and other issues that are of concern to both our countries. “We have also conveyed our concerns about the terrorist threat that Pakistan faces from Afghanistan and the sophisticated equipment that these terror groups have, which continue to kill Pakistani nationals,” she said.
The spokesperson to a question posed by WE News said that granting a visa to any individual is the sovereign right and decision of the country concerned. “We do not subscribe to the impression that there is a ban on visas for Pakistani nationals. Pakistani nationals continue to travel to the UAE,” she said.
She added any issues that arise with respect to the issuance of visas and the stay of Pakistani nationals in the UAE are important agenda items, and we continue to discuss these issues with the government of the United Arab Emirates.
