Pakistan to stay in Pak-China-Afghan forum, seeks action against terrorists

FO says Kabul must give guarantees, rejects India’s claims and JF-17 deal reports

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan will continue to be part of the trilateral mechanism involving Pakistan, China and Afghanistan, saying the forum reflects Islamabad’s positive engagement, but it will maintain its long-standing position on bilateral ties with Kabul, including demands for action against terrorist groups.

Speaking at the Foreign Office’s weekly press briefing on Thursday, spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said it was agreed during the Pakistan-China dialogue to maintain the trilateral mechanism. He said Pakistan does not seek a hostile relationship with Afghanistan but expects concrete steps from the Taliban administration.

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“Pakistan expects verifiable written guarantees that Afghan territory or citizens will not be used for terrorism abroad,” Andrabi said. “These guarantees will also serve Afghanistan’s own interests.”

Pakistan has repeatedly said that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders and fighters enjoy safe havens inside Afghanistan and operate with impunity under the Taliban’s watch. The Afghan Taliban, however, accuse Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty through occasional airstrikes on TTP positions and of applying political and military pressure.

Pakistan’s frustration has grown over the years. Islamabad invested diplomatic and political capital to facilitate the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, expecting improved border security and a reduction in anti-Pakistan militancy. Instead, Pakistan has seen a rise in TTP attacks, worsening security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and what it describes as a defiant Taliban government unwilling to address its concerns.

Responding to reports that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to convert around $2 billion in Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal, Andrabi said the Foreign Office was not aware of any such agreement. He said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share broad defence ties and that any development would be communicated at the appropriate time.

Read: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss converting $2bn loans into JF-17 fighter jet deal

On relations with India, the spokesperson rejected recent remarks by the Indian foreign minister as “baseless.” He accused India of supporting terrorism at the regional and international level and said allegations against Pakistan could not hide India’s “anti-peace actions.” Andrabi also criticised the demolition of the Fateh Elahi mosque and related properties in Delhi, calling it part of an anti-Muslim campaign that he said began with the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid and the subsequent construction of a temple.

Addressing regional developments, Andrabi said Pakistan opposes any foreign interference in Iran’s internal affairs. He was responding to reports of ongoing protests in Iran over inflation and economic hardship.

The demonstrations, now in their 11th consecutive day, have turned violent in recent days. Iranian media reported that two security personnel were killed and at least 30 others injured, while the overall death toll from clashes nationwide has reached 35. Protesters reportedly pelted police with stones and, in some cases, opened fire on security forces.

On Somaliland, Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s opposition to the recognition of the self-declared state, saying it threatens Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity.

Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland on December 26. On December 28, foreign ministers of more than 20 Muslim-majority countries issued a joint statement rejecting Israel’s move. The statement, released by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, said the recognition violates international law and the UN Charter, which upholds the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.