ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday reiterated its call for the Afghan Taliban regime to take concrete measures against terrorist outfits operating from Afghan territory, amid ongoing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.
During his weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stressed that Pakistan would neither close the door on diplomacy nor open the door to war between the two neighbouring countries.
“Diplomacy continues even in wars. Diplomacy continues even during skirmishes,” he said, adding that Pakistan wished peace and prosperity for “our Afghan brothers and sisters.”
Referring to a recent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) report, Andrabi said the document strongly supported Pakistan’s narrative regarding the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), highlighting that the interim Afghan government continued to provide a permissive environment for terrorist groups.
He noted that the report also pointed to al-Qaeda acting as a service provider to other armed outfits in Afghanistan, while the TTP enjoyed greater operational freedom, enabling attacks inside Pakistan.
“The report corroborates Pakistan’s position that the TTP resurgence is linked to the post-2021 takeover,” Andrabi said, adding that Pakistan was engaging with the UN Secretariat and international stakeholders on the matter.
The spokesperson confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace on February 19, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He said Pakistan joined the forum in good faith alongside seven other Islamic Arab countries, with a collective voice advocating for the rights and prosperity of the Palestinian people.
Commenting on India’s statement after a recent Islamabad blast, Andrabi said it carried an undertone of justifying terrorism and contradicted India’s declared opposition to terrorism.
He also highlighted reports of continued lynching of Muslims in India, stating that at least 55 Muslims were lynched across the country last year, often with alleged complicity of local authorities. He urged India to investigate such incidents and called on the international community to monitor the situation.
Responding to questions about US President Donald Trump’s remarks on last year’s May conflict between India and Pakistan, Andrabi said Pakistan appreciated the US role in preventing escalation. He reiterated that Pakistan had shot down several Indian Rafale jets, with evidence available internationally.
On Iran-US talks, he said Pakistan supported dialogue and diplomacy to resolve outstanding issues, including nuclear negotiations.
He also stated that Pakistan’s decision to play a T20 match against India reflected magnanimity and the understanding within international cricket authorities that politicisation of the sport was unwarranted.
The spokesperson added that foreign ministers of eight Muslim states had issued joint statements condemning Israeli ceasefire violations in Gaza and settlement actions in the occupied West Bank, reaffirming support for a Palestinian state on 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.