Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan voiced apprehension regarding the ongoing use of Afghan territory for terrorist activities targeting Pakistan. During his regular press briefing, he implored the Afghan government to address this issue with urgency and prevent such occurrences.
Regarding the closure of the Torkham border, the spokesperson clarified that it stemmed from Afghan forces establishing posts in disputed areas. He condemned the border tensions and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining amicable neighborly relations with Afghanistan.
He also affirmed that Pakistan’s security and counterterrorism collaboration with the U.S. is a continuous endeavor, emphasizing that the apprehension and extradition of terrorist Sharifullah was not an isolated event. Bilateral consular communication remains active.
Dismissing the recent statement by India’s Foreign Minister on Kashmir, Khan emphasized that the long-standing grievances of the Kashmiri people cannot be resolved solely through economic improvements. He stressed that a resolution to the Kashmir issue must adhere to United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The spokesperson also strongly denounced Israeli restrictions imposed on Gaza during Ramadan. He further mentioned that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar will address the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Jeddah, advocating for the Palestinian right to self-determination.
