ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday cautioned that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan, while pointing to India’s “poor record” in this regard.
In his first press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan would not interfere if India and Afghanistan choose to establish diplomatic representation.
“India and Afghanistan are sovereign countries. If they decide to have diplomatic representation, we will not comment,” he said. “However, Afghan soil must not be used for sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan, and India’s record in this regard has not been good.”
Andrabi welcomed ceasefire talks held with the interim Afghan government in Doha on October 19, calling them “a first step toward regional peace.” He thanked Qatar and Turkey for their mediation and said discussions focused on halting cross-border attacks and restoring stability along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
He said Pakistan expected progress in the next round of talks in Istanbul, including a verifiable monitoring mechanism to prevent “terrorism emanating from Afghan soil.” Pakistan, he stated, “does not seek escalation,” but urged Afghan authorities to take “verifiable action” against groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Baloch Liberation Army.
The spokesperson said the ceasefire remained intact, describing it as “a marker of positive achievement.” On temporary border trade suspensions, he said the step was driven by security concerns. “We understand traders and people are affected, but the lives of Pakistanis are more paramount than any commodity traded,” he said.
Responding to concerns over Afghan dam construction on the Kabul and Kunar rivers, Andrabi said the issue would be addressed under international law to ensure Pakistan’s water rights. On funding speculation, he stated, “Six dams worth $3 billion is a lot of money, I’m not sure if New Delhi is so gracious with its purse.”
He dismissed India’s threats regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir as “hollow and not credible,” saying Pakistan was fully prepared to defend its territory. He stated that the people of AJK were “as patriotic and aligned with Pakistan as any other part of the country.”
Pakistan launches first hyperspectral satellite
The spokesperson highlighted the launch of Pakistan’s first hyperspectral satellite (HS-1), saying it will significantly improve monitoring of land use, water resources, vegetation, urban growth, disaster response and climate resilience.
Pakistan condemns Israeli settlement expansion
The spokesperson also condemned Israel’s move to extend its claimed sovereignty over parts of the occupied West Bank, calling it a violation of international law and UN resolutions. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for a sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.
He noted that the International Court of Justice has repeatedly stated that Israel must not obstruct humanitarian relief in occupied territories.
Pakistan–Poland ties and outreach to Africa
Andrabi said Pakistan and Poland were expanding cooperation in trade, energy, defense, education and labor. He stated that Polish investments in Pakistan’s petrochemical sector alone had exceeded $5 billion.
He also mentioned Pakistan’s growing engagement with Africa, including the fifth Pak-Africa Trade Conference in Addis Ababa, where discussions focused on agriculture, healthcare, education, trade and investment.
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