ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (APP): Pakistan on Friday said that the ceasefire with Afghanistan was not holding, as attacks by terrorist outfits continued inside Pakistan, using the Afghan soil as the understanding was purely meant to cease such attacks.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, in his weekly press briefing, told the media that the Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire did not imply a traditional ceasefire implemented after any war or a conflict situation rather it implied that there would be no terrorist attack by Afghan-sponsored terrorist proxies into Pakistan.
“There have been major terrorist attacks after this ceasefire. So, interpreting in that sense, the ceasefire is not holding because the ceasefire was about ceasing terrorist attacks inside Pakistan by TTP, FAK, and Afghan nationals using Afghan soil. So, if Afghan nationals are attacking, as they did so in Islamabad and elsewhere, so we cannot be very optimistic about the ceasefire,” he said.
Asked about the threat of any attack from Afghanistan, he said the Pakistani security forces remained fully alert.
“Our military preparedness is robust. The security challenges we face would be addressed with the seriousness that they merit,” he resolved.
About any mediation offer from Saudi Arabia, he said that he was not aware of any such concrete offer; however, “We welcome mediation. Pakistan would not resent mediation in principle.”
To a question he dismissed the claims of ISIS presence in Pakistan as “outrageous” and a “pigment” of the imagination of Taliban who wanted to externalize this menace of terrorism, which inherently was in their own soil and of their own making.
Asked about the coordination among the countries victim of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, particularly after attack in Tajikistan, the spokesperson said all the countries involved had a robust mechanism of dialogue and coordination on these issues.
“So the regional countries remain cognizant. Pakistan is following on these coordinations on all bilateral and multilateral forums. And I think such joint coordination needs to be enhanced in days to come.”
Questioned about the Afghan Taliban statement alleging “certain elements” for the attack in Tajikistan, Tahir Andrabi reiterated, “Now, this is what we are saying. Control these elements. These elements are present on Afghan soil.”
Coming to the provocative statement by the Indian Defence Minister regarding Sindh, he said Pakistan was particularly very positively overwhelmed by the statements coming out from Sindh and from the Sindhi diaspora internationally in its opposition.
“It (Sindh) is an essential flower in the mosaic of our federation,” he remarked.
About the Indus Waters Treaty, he said Pakistan was remained cognizant of this threat of water weaponization and was following up on this water data issue, broader water issues under Indus water treaty in all its forums.
He clarified that there was no new provision or regulation from the UAE regarding the restriction of visas for Pakistani nationals.
The spokesperson said that the statement by Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s National Security Council that Iran was ready to offer a blank check to Pakistan for peace with Afghanistan and India, echoes the broad sentiment of Pakistani leadership as well which highlighted lot of avenues to explore to further bilateral strategic partnership.
He condemned fresh Israeli attacks in Gaza as violations of international law and the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement, reiterating support for an independent Palestine with Al-Quds as capital.
To a question, Andrabi said that the Gaza Peace Plan stayed as an overarching framework on Israel-Palestine to end gunshot in Gaza and the momentary lapses by the Israeli violations, should not undermine this overarching peace process.
He said that Pakistan had joined this peace process and the UN Security Council resolution in good faith to end bloodshed in Gaza and create a political process leading to a lasting final settlement with the creation of the state of Palestine.
Responding to another query, the spokesperson said that India had become an epicenter of lies, deceit and fake news as a disinformation continued to spread in the Indian cyber and social media domains, particularly focusing on Pakistan.
He said that the anti-Pakistan accounts, either incognito or under the mask of one organisation were being operated from India.
Earlier, the spokesperson, in his opening remarks, condemned the shooting incident in Washington, D.C., reportedly involving an Afghan national, calling it a heinous act of terrorism and extending Pakistan’s condolences to the United States.
“For two decades, Pakistan has endured similar terrorist incidents with clear linkages to Afghanistan,” he noted, adding that the incident signaled a troubling resurgence of terrorism worldwide.
He also condemned the killing of three Chinese nationals in Tajikistan and reiterated that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism and called for concrete and verifiable action against groups operating from Afghanistan under the Taliban’s patronage.
He also apprised the media of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Bahrain and his meetings with Bahrain King and Crown Prince besides receiving the Order of Bahrain.
He said DPM/FM Ishaq Dar also met Bahrain’s Finance Minister to deepen fintech and banking ties.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan noted with grave concern the findings by the United Nations Experts on India’s illegal measures in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), underscoring the severe and systematic human rights violations endured by the Kashmiri people under Indian occupation.
“The UN experts have rightly raised alarm at extensive, arbitrary arrest and detention of nearly 2,800 Kashmiri individuals, including journalists, students, and human rights advocates. The persistent application of draconian legislation, such as the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), has facilitated indefinite and unjustifiable detentions.”
He called upon India to cease its coercive measures and to unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained in IIOJK and take concrete steps to end the persecution of all religious minorities, particularly Muslims Christians and others.
He reiterated that Pakistan was committed to a peaceful, just, and enduring resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, and would continue to extend moral, political, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their just struggle.
The spokesperson also expressed concerns over the flag-hoisting at the so-called “Ram Temple” constructed on the site of the historic Babri Mosque in Ayodhya with deep concern and called on the international community to take cognizance of the rising Islamophobia, hate speech and hate-motivated attacks in India.
“The United Nations and relevant international bodies must play a constructive role in safeguarding Islamic heritage and ensuring protection of the religious and cultural rights of all minorities,” he added.