Key Points:
- FO seeks concrete and verifiable action from Afghan authorities against terrorists
- Pakistan stresses peace through dialogue, not escalation, ahead of Nov 6 talks
- Islamabad warns it will respond firmly to any violation of sovereignty
- FO highlights regional cooperation, economic diplomacy, and support for Palestinians
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday once again called on Afghanistan to take “concrete and verifiable action” against terrorist groups operating from its soil, reaffirming that Islamabad desires peace through dialogue but will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty.
At the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan participated in the Istanbul dialogue “in good faith and with sincerity of purpose,” extending the sessions to find “a workable and verifiable solution.”
“Pakistan has shown maximum restraint and responsibility,” he said. “We do not seek confrontation, but we expect our neighbours to take tangible and verifiable measures to eliminate the terrorist threat that emanates from their soil.”
He said we have repeatedly shared credible information about the presence of top leadership of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on Afghan soil with the Taliban regime. However, despite repeated assurances in the past, there has been a surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan from Afghanistan.
He confirmed that the next round of talks with Afghan representatives will be held on November 6, expressing hope that “this opportunity will help translate commitments into results.”
Pakistan’s priority is regional peace and stability
“Our approach is guided by dialogue and diplomacy. But there should be no doubt—Pakistan will safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression.”
Andrabi said Pakistan has taken “effective and targeted measures” against terrorism within its borders and expects the same seriousness from Kabul. He noted that Pakistan has “borne immense sacrifices” in the fight against terrorism and continues to pursue “coordinated regional action” to defeat extremist networks.
Turning to other regional matters, Andrabi said Pakistan remains “deeply concerned over the continued violence in Gaza,” reiterating Islamabad’s call for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s “principled support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.”
He also highlighted Pakistan’s economic diplomacy drive, noting growing engagement with friendly countries in the Gulf and Central Asia.
“Pakistan’s foreign policy is anchored in peace, development, and constructive partnership,” he said. “Our focus is to build stability at home and strengthen cooperation abroad.”
Andrabi recalled that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had visited Kabul thrice, including on July 17, to sign an agreement on the joint feasibility study of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project.
To a question he said Pakistan appreciated the role of the United States in the May conflict with India. “The fact that the Indian side is silent or does not acknowledge the loss of their planes – I think, is a question for the Indian side to answer. Probably, it is too bitter a pill for India to swallow,” he said.
Six-month sanctions waiver to India by US
To another question regarding the grant of the six-month sanctions waiver to India by the US to run Iran’s Chabahar Port, he said, ‘We welcome any decision that leads to the economic development and improvement of trade and business prospects in our brotherly country of Iran’.
He noted the decision by the US to grant the six-month waiver is a sovereign decision of the United States.
“We would warn India not to use or abuse this opening to promote terrorism, subversion, particularly the terrorism and subversion of Fitnah Al Hindustan, into Pakistan through the adjacent borders,” he said.
The spokesperson added that India has promoted cross-border terrorism from this area into Pakistan in the past so it must desist in doing so in the future.
Economic Cooperation Framework between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
Responding to yet another question Foreign Office spokesperson said the Pak-Saudi Economic Cooperation Framework entails several strategic and high-impact projects pertaining to trade, investment, and development fields.
“The focus is energy, industry, mining, IT, tourism, agriculture, and food security. Within these sectors, I do not have the exact figures in terms of exact quantification of the FDI (Foreign Direct Investment), but it is certainly a positive development with regard to FDI,” he said.
“As I said, it is a shared economic interest and mutual desire to further strengthen economic relations based on a shared vision towards a sustainable partnership,” he noted.
