ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP): Foreign Office Spokesperson, Ambassador, Tahir Andrabi on Thursday highlighted that the reaction from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), following the recent terrorist attack in Balochistan, effectively corroborated Pakistan’s longstanding position regarding external involvement in destabilizing activities.
Addressing the weekly media briefing, the spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, dialogue and diplomacy, while firmly defending its national interests and principled positions on international disputes.
The Foreign Office spokesperson also recalled that this month marks the 19th anniversary of the Samjhauta Express bombing, in which more than 70 precious lives were lost.
He said that Swami Aseemanand, one of the individuals implicated in the attack, publicly confessed to his involvement, while Indian Colonel Shrikant Purohit had also admitted his role. However, he added, all four accused in the Samjhauta Express case are currently at large.
Ambassador Andrabi said India has failed to bring those involved in the attack to justice. He strongly rejected the recent statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, terming it baseless.
The Foreign Office spokesperson also highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent official visit to Qatar, reaffirmed Pakistan’s position on developments in the occupied West Bank, and marked the 19th anniversary of the Samjhauta Express attack.
He said the prime minister visited Doha from February 23–24 at the invitation of the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
During their meeting, he said the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of political engagement. They underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, particularly in trade, investment and economic collaboration.
The Amir reiterated Qatar’s commitment to deepening economic partnership with Pakistan to a higher strategic level. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments, emphasizing dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful resolution of disputes.
The Amir graciously accepted the prime minister’s invitation to visit Pakistan later this year, he added. During the visit, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The two sides discussed defence and security cooperation, including ongoing collaboration between the armed forces of the two countries. Sheikh Saud appreciated the professionalism and expertise of Pakistan’s armed forces and conveyed Qatar’s interest in further deepening defence ties.
Ambassador Andrabi said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from February 26–28 to participate in an extraordinary ministerial session of the Executive Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), being held in Jeddah on February 26.
The emergency session has been convened to consider what Pakistan described as illegal decisions by Israeli occupation authorities aimed at expanding settlements, pursuing annexation, and imposing sovereignty over the occupied West Bank.
At the ministerial meeting, Senator Ishaq Dar will present Pakistan’s perspective on Israel’s measures to convert areas of the occupied West Bank into what it termed “so-called state land.” On the sidelines of the session, he is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of OIC member states.
The spokesperson noted that Pakistan joined joint statements by OIC members and other countries strongly condemning recent Israeli actions extending unlawful control over the West Bank, describing such measures as violations of international law and threats to regional peace and stability.