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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan respects Afghanistan&rsquo;s sovereignty but has expressed concern over the use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities against Pakistan, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a weekly press briefing on Friday. He stated that while Pakistan acknowledges Afghanistan&#39;s right to determine its foreign policy, it requests that Afghan soil not be used for attacks on Pakistan. Targeted operations against terroristsThe foreign office spokesperson stated that Pakistan was conducting targeted operations against terrorists along the border to protect its citizens. These operations are being carried out with precision based on credible intelligence as Pakistan aims to eliminate threats from militant groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which have destabilized the region. &ldquo;Pakistan believes Afghanistan must restore its sovereignty and security and eliminate terrorist groups,&rdquo; Shafqat Ali Khan said. He called for collective regional action to address the threat posed by groups like the TTP, which destabilize both countries. Diplomatic engagement and cooperation with AfghanistanPakistan has always preferred dialogue and diplomacy to resolve issues, even in the face of threats. The Pakistani spokesperson called on Afghan authorities to prevent terrorism emanating from their soil since both &ldquo;Pakistan and Afghanistan share an interest in fighting terrorism and ensuring regional stability.&rdquo; Strengthening ties with Saudi ArabiaPakistan&rsquo;s relationship with Saudi Arabia has been strengthening, especially in the areas of trade and investment. Shafqat Ali Khan spoke about the recent visit to Saudi Arabia, where both sides discussed expanding economic ties under the Pakistan-Saudi Joint Business Council. The talks focused on increasing cooperation in trade, investment, and sectors aligned with Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s Vision 2030 and Pakistan&rsquo;s economic agenda. Both countries are aiming to develop partnerships in textiles, logistics, agriculture, energy, and defense. Pakistan-Tajikistan bilateral cooperationThe Foreign Office also shared details about the sixth Pakistan-Tajikistan Political Consultation meeting held in Dushanbe on September 29-30, 2025. The Pakistani delegation, led by Syed Ali Asif Gilani, and the Tajik delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Farrukh Sharifzada, discussed trade, defense, energy, education, and cultural ties. The two sides agreed to increase trade in textiles, logistics, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals and to speed up the $1.16 billion hydroelectricity project, CASA-1000, to improve energy and regional connectivity. Cooperation on counterterrorism and training programs was also discussed.&nbsp; The next meeting will be held in Islamabad in 2026. Quadrilateral Meeting of Special Representatives for AfghanistanPakistan&rsquo;s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Muhammad Sadiq, represented the country at a quadrilateral meeting in Moscow with China, Iran, and Russia.&nbsp; The foreign office spokesperson noted that Muhammad Sadiq also held bilateral meetings with senior officials from these countries to discuss regional cooperation and security. US investment proposal in Pasni PortShafqat Ali Khan also addressed reports about a new port being developed with American investment, clarifying that the project is still in the early stages.&nbsp;&ldquo;Discussions on these proposals are in the initial stage,&rdquo; he said, adding that no official policy or initiative has been set by the Pakistani government. Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign policyThe Pakistani spokesperson stated that Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign policy was based on mutual respect and non-alignment in global politics. &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s priority is economic stability and national security. We do not want to be part of any bloc politics,&rdquo; he said.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan’s diplomatic approach focuses on strengthening regional cooperation, ensuring security, and maintaining neutrality in international politics. The country aims to resolve conflicts peacefully while protecting its sovereignty and economic interests.

Pakistan respects Afghan sovereignty but warns against threats from Afghan soil

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Tajikistan have reaffirmed their commitment to the CASA-1000 clean energy project and pledged closer cooperation in trade, defense, and regional connectivity, following the sixth round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) in Dushanbe this week, the Pakistani foreign office said.&nbsp;The consultations, held from September 29&ndash;30, were led by Pakistan&rsquo;s Additional Foreign Secretary for West Asia and Afghanistan Syed Ali Asad Gillani and Tajikistan&rsquo;s Deputy Foreign Minister, Farrukh Sharifzoda.&nbsp;&ldquo;Discussions covered a wide range of bilateral matters, including political and parliamentary ties, trade and investment, defense and security, energy, connectivity, cultural and educational exchanges, multilateral cooperation, and consular affairs,&rdquo; the foreign office said.&nbsp;Both delegations agreed that high-level visits provide &ldquo;motivation to the partnership&rdquo; and stressed the importance of continued engagement.&nbsp;Central to the talks was the $1.2 billion CASA-1000 energy project, designed to transmit 1,300 megawatts of surplus hydroelectric power from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan and Afghanistan.&nbsp;The project, backed by the World Bank and other international partners, has faced delays due to instability in Afghanistan but is now resuming construction.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both sides underscored the significance of regional transport corridors and reaffirmed their commitment to the early operationalization of CASA-1000, aimed at strengthening regional integration and energy security,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;Tajik officials also highlighted the project&rsquo;s long-term benefits.&nbsp;&ldquo;The transmission capacity of CASA-1000 will be an energy link between Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to provide clean energy not only to regional countries but also to meet Pakistan&rsquo;s industrial demand,&rdquo; Tajikistan&rsquo;s Deputy Minister for Energy Jamshed Shoimzoda said earlier this year.&nbsp;Beyond energy, Islamabad and Dushanbe explored trade opportunities in textiles, agriculture, logistics, food, and pharmaceuticals. Security cooperation, particularly in counter-terrorism and defense training, was also reviewed.&nbsp;Regional issues, including the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, were discussed, with both sides stressing that disputes should be resolved through &ldquo;diplomacy and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter.&rdquo;&nbsp;The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold the seventh session of BPC in Islamabad in 2026, signaling what both sides called a &ldquo;positive direction&rdquo; in their partnership.

Islamabad and Dushanbe pledged to fast-track CASA-1000, expand trade in textiles, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, and deepen security cooperation during their 6th Bilateral Political Consultations, reaffirming regional integration, energy security, and diplomatic engagement for 2026 talks.

Articles tagged with "CASA-1000"

Pakistan respects Afghan sovereignty but warns against threats from Afghan soil

Pakistan, Tajikistan reaffirm energy, trade and security cooperation