After days of speculations suggesting that Pakistan might have captured or plan to take over the strategically important Wakhan corridor, Pakistan on Thursday finally broke its silence and rejected all such reports.
"Wakhan corridor, what I can say is that I have seen this endless speculation. Wakhan is part of the Afghan territory. Afghanistan is a neighbour of Pakistan. We recognise its sovereignty and territorial integrity. There is no question of Pakistan having designs on one of its neighbours, the question doesn't arise," Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters at his weekly news briefing.
He was responding to questions about the reports that have been doing rounds that in view of the ongoing tensions with Afghanistan, Pakistan was planning to capture Wakhan Corridor.
Located in Badakhshan province of Afghanistan, Wakhan Corridor is a narrow strip that connects China and Afghanistan on one hand and Pakistan and Tajikistan on the other.
It was part of the historic silk route. However, the high-altitude corridor remained closed for over a century because of inhospitable weather, lack of infrastructure and security concerns.
Since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in August 2021, the interim government has been talking to China for reviving the old route. However, China has not said a word or indicated if it has any plans to open the border.
China's approach is cautious as it is worried that opening of the route may trigger smuggling and movement of militants, who want to create disturbances in Xingjian that is on the other side of Wakhan corridor.
He also dismissed reports that the recent visit of the DG ISI to Tajikistan was part of Pakistan's efforts to destablise Afghanistan.
"Tajikistan is a very close friend and partner of Pakistan. We have long standing relations with Tajikistan and exchange of visits and consultations across the governments is a normal feature of this relation. And any speculation regarding Pakistan and Tajikistan working to destabilize or something I would reject. And our relationship, like with all friendly countries is based on the principles of UN Charter," the spokesperson stressed.
"Afghanistan is a neighbour of Pakistan. We have longstanding relations. It's an important neighbour. And both countries understand the importance of this equation and importance of good relations between two neighbours. And we wish Afghanistan the best, and we want to nurture and develop strong, vibrant relations, the way it should be between two neighbors," he added.
The spokesperson said one of the key problems right now was the sanctuaries which the terrorist group TTP enjoys on the Afghan soil. "The two sides are in contact on this situation. About the specifics of the diplomatic contacts, Embassies in the two countries are working. We have a Charge d' Affaires in Kabul and an Afghan senior diplomat is also heading their Embassy here."
"Diplomatic contacts are ongoing and like between neighbouring countries, there are multi layered engagements which are ongoing, often not reported in the media. But this remains an important relationship, and we are continuing to work to improve and solidify and stabilize this vital relationship," he further said.
On a recent meeting between the Afghan foreign minister and the Indian foreign secretary, the spokesperson said Afghanistan is a sovereign country. "We have never aspired nor we have tried nor do we intend to aspire to have a veto on what kind of relations it wants to have with other countries. It is their sovereign right, the kind of relationship it wants to develop with other countries."
"And as I have mentioned earlier, Afghanistan is an important neighbour of Pakistan. We have long historical relations; we would continue to work to bring the relationship to its full potential the way it should be between the two neighbours. Terrorism sanctuaries enjoyed by the terrorists remains one key problem between the two countries. We will continue to engage with Afghan authorities that they have to address this genuine concern from Pakistan," he maintained.
The spokesperson also endorsed the statement of a US official that Pakistan was not part of any treaty alliance with the US. "What I can say at this point is that it is a fact that Pakistan is not part of any treaty alliance with the United States. It is also a fact that Pakistan has been designated a major non-NATO ally since 2004."
"But it is also a fact that Pakistan's contribution to maintaining peace and security in the region and the fight against terrorism is far too great to be encapsulated in technical and legal labels. That's what all I can say," he added.
To another question, the spokesperson said Pakistani Ambassador to US will represent the country at the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Jan 20.
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