By Naveed Siddiqui
ISLAMABAD: In a weekly media briefing, the Foreign Office Thursday firmly rejected reports of clandestine discussions with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized the need for the Afghan interim government to take decisive action against those responsible for the recent D.I. Khan terror attack. Baloch dismissed claims of ongoing dialogue with the TTP and urged Afghanistan to address the issue promptly.
Following a deadly attack on Pakistan’s security forces in Daraban, D.I.Khan, where 23 personnel lost their lives, Pakistan summoned the Afghan chargé d’affaires to express strong dissatisfaction. The Taliban regime’s spokesperson responded, stating that Afghanistan should not be held responsible for all issues, urging Pakistan to focus on its security concerns.
Baloch highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing struggle against terrorism and called for concrete steps from Afghanistan to prevent its soil from being used by terrorists against Pakistan. The spokesperson refrained from commenting on remarks by a provincial minister suggesting providing bases to the U.S. for drone operations against the TTP.
Regarding the visit of Army Chief Asim Munir to the United States, Baloch confirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ involvement in the consultation process before the trip. She stated that the army chief’s discussions in the U.S. would include meetings with defense officials and officials from the State Department.
On Pakistan’s demand for the Taliban interim regime to publicly condemn the D.I.Khan terror attack, Baloch emphasized the importance of such statements as a signal of seriousness in combating terrorism.
Responding to questions about the international community’s response to the Indian Supreme Court’s decision on Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, Baloch refuted any indication of support for India’s stance. She cited expressions of concern from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, China, and Turkey, reaffirming international law principles.
In addition, Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Asif Durrani is representing Pakistan at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, advocating for more equitable burden-sharing and continued international support for Afghan refugees.
Pakistan also welcomed the UN General Assembly’s recent resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and ensuring access to Gaza. Baloch reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to raising awareness of India’s actions in Kashmir on the international stage.
