The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday said the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan “is not holding,” as major terrorist attacks orchestrated from Afghan soil are continuing.
“Let me clarify that the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan does not imply a traditional ceasefire implemented after two belligerent states in a war or a conflict situation,” said spokesperson Tahir Andrabi during a weekly briefing. “Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire implied that there would be no terrorist attack by Afghan sponsored terrorist proxies into Pakistan,” he continued, noting this had not happened and “in that sense” the ceasefire is not holding.
“So, if Afghan nationals are continuously attacking, as they did so in Islamabad and elsewhere, then we cannot be very optimistic about ceasefire,” he said, adding security forces remained “fully alert” with regards to any threats from Kabul.
The neighboring states inked a ceasefire on Oct. 17 after border clashes instigated by the Taliban regime and its proxy militant groups resulted in the Pakistan armed forces killing over 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants. Security forces also conducted airstrikes inside Afghanistan, including in Kabul, eliminating terrorists’ hideouts.
On offers to mediate between Kabul and Islamabad, the spokesperson said he was unaware of any Saudi offer but would welcome all efforts aimed at achieving peace.
During the briefing, Andrabi described as “outrageous” claims from the Afghan Taliban about Daesh operating inside Pakistan. He stressed that Pakistan has been continuously coordinating with bilateral and multilateral forums on cross-border terrorism issues. He also referred to a recent Afghan Taliban statement blaming “certain elements” for an attack in Tajikistan: “This is exactly what we are saying. Control these elements—they are present on Afghan soil.”
He also lashed out at “fake news” on social media from accounts affiliated with India and Afghanistan.
To a question on India not sharing any data with Pakistan under the auspices of the Indus Waters Treaty, he said it was a matter of grave concern. “Under the treaty, there is no such provision of abeyance. Therefore, Indian actions constitute as a violation of the treaty,” he said, adding the rhetoric from New Delhi points toward attempts to weaponize water in breach of international law, particularly international humanitarian law.
On a recent controversy regarding an unofficial ban on visas to the U.A.E. for Pakistanis, Andrabi said there was no such new regulation.
He also weighed in on the Gaza Peace Plan, stressing that lapses from Israel should not undermine the overarching peace process.
“We joined this peace process and the U.N. Security Council resolution in good faith. Our single purpose was to end the bloodshed in Gaza and create a political process that would eventually lead to a lasting final settlement with the creation of the State of Palestine,” he said, emphasizing Pakistan was following the process in “good faith.”