ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office has once again said that Pakistan is determined to take every possible action to safeguard its security and the security of its people.
Foreign office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad, said since the Taliban regime came to power in Afghanistan, there has been a sharp surge in terrorist attacks emanating from Afghan soil on Pakistan.
He said throughout these years, Pakistan, despite suffering military and civilian casualties, exercised maximum restraint and did not escalate.
He added that Pakistan’s expectation was that with the passage of time, the Taliban regime would be able to control these attacks and take concrete actions against the TTP and Fitna al Khawarij.
He said during this period, Pakistan also tried to positively engage with the Afghan Taliban regime, offering bilateral trade assistance and humanitarian assistance. However, despite all these positive gestures by Pakistan, the response from the Taliban regime has only been hollow promises and inaction.
He said TTP, Fitna-al-Khawarij, BLA and Fitna-al-Hindustan are declared the enemies of the state of Pakistan and its people.
Spokesperson made it clear that anyone harbouring, abetting or financing them is not considered a friend and a well-wisher of Pakistan and its people.
Tahir Andrabi regretted that Taliban regime is constantly trying to misrepresent the issue of terrorism, terrorists hiding in Afghanistan as a humanitarian issue. He said Taliban regime is also trying to portray TTP, Fitna al Khawarij, BLA and Fitna al Hindustan as refugees in Afghanistan. He said this is not a humanitarian or a refugee crisis, but a ploy to frame terrorists as refugees.
He said Pakistan is ready to receive any Pakistani living in Afghanistan and their families provided they are handed over at the border crossing, and not hurled across the border fully equipped with sophisticated weapons and equipment.
The Spokesperson made it clear that Pakistan has never eschewed dialogue with any government in Kabul. However, Pakistan would not hold dialogue with any terrorist groups, be it TTP or BLA.
The Spokesperson also appreciated the sincere efforts of mediating countries Qatar and Turkiye.
Replying to a question regarding the statements about trade emanating from Afghanistan, Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan itself is a strong proponent of regional trade and connectivity. He said in the same spirit, Pakistan extended a number of trade concessions to Afghanistan.
However, Pakistan’s positive gesture was not reciprocated by Taliban regime, which continues to harbor and actively support the enemies of Pakistan, who are waging terrorists’ acts using Afghanistan soil. He said transit trade with Afghanistan is only possible if Taliban regime takes clear steps against anti-Pakistan elements operating from its soil.
