ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday reiterated its call on the interim Afghan authorities to take effective and verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, amid prevailing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.
At his weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan remained committed to diplomacy and regional peace. “Pakistan will neither shut the door on diplomacy nor open the door to war between the two brotherly countries,” he said, adding that dialogue continues even in difficult circumstances.
He stated that Pakistan wished peace and prosperity for the people of Afghanistan but stressed that concerns regarding the activities of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) must be addressed.
Referring to a recent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) report, Andrabi said the document corroborated Pakistan’s longstanding position that terrorist groups, including the TTP, were benefiting from a permissive environment in Afghanistan. He noted that the report highlighted al-Qaeda’s role as a facilitator for other militant groups and pointed to the TTP’s enhanced operational capacity following the 2021 political transition in Kabul.
“The report substantiates Pakistan’s position that the resurgence of TTP is linked to developments after 2021,” he said, adding that Islamabad was engaging with relevant UN bodies and member states on the matter.
Responding to a question, 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 had joined the initiative in good faith alongside other Muslim countries to collectively advocate for the rights and prosperity of the Palestinian people.
Commenting on a statement issued by India’s External Affairs Ministry following a recent blast in Islamabad, Andrabi said it carried an undertone that appeared to justify terrorism. “India claims to oppose terrorism in all forms, but its statements suggest selective positions when incidents involve Pakistan,” he added.
He also raised concerns over reported incidents of violence against Muslims in India, urging Indian authorities to investigate such cases and calling on the international community to monitor the situation.
Regarding US President Donald Trump’s remarks about last year’s brief India-Pakistan conflict, the spokesperson said Pakistan appreciated the US role in preventing escalation and promoting peace. He reiterated that evidence regarding aerial engagements during the conflict had been widely reported internationally.
On Iran-US engagements, Andrabi said Pakistan supported dialogue and diplomatic efforts to resolve outstanding issues, including nuclear-related matters.
Responding to a sports-related query, he said Pakistan’s decision to participate in a T20 match against India reflected goodwill and recognition that politicising cricket undermined the spirit of the game.
He added that foreign ministers of eight Muslim states had issued joint statements condemning Israeli ceasefire violations in Gaza and reaffirming support for the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.