Pakistan on Monday urged the interim Afghanistan government to focus on fighting terrorist groups continuing to threaten the security of their country and its neighbors rather than pointing fingers elsewhere.
In a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch rejected an accusation from Kabul that terrorists involved in attacks in Bamyan and Kabul were trained in Balochistan. She said Afghan authorities had repeatedly failed to control terrorist groups and should focus on fighting elements continuing to act with impunity inside Afghanistan, threatening the security of the entire region, rather than pointing fingers elsewhere.
To another question, she said Pakistan believes it is important for the two sides to take confidence-building measures that contribute to the enhancement of trade and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Referring to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on tensions between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Baloch rejected it as “frivolous,” adding it was a form of “unacceptable” and “deplorable” interference in the domestic affairs of Pakistan. “Instead of lecturing a democratic country, the Afghanistan interim government should focus on fixing its own domestic problems; prioritize inclusivity; and be responsive to needs and aspirations of its own people including the right to education for women and girls rather than curtailing their rights,” she said.
The spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan remained committed to peace, dialogue, and cooperation in the region and expected all states, including Afghanistan, to adhere to the basic norms of responsible international conduct and interstate relations.
Announcements
During her briefing, Baloch announced that the upcoming 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), occurring in Islamabad from Oct. 15-16, would strengthen regional economic ties and socio-cultural exchanges.
“We anticipate high-level participation from SCO member states, the observer state of Mongolia, and special guest Turkmenistan, along with representatives from international organizations including the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the European Economic Community,” she added.
The spokesperson also announced that a high-level Saudi delegation, led by Investment Minister Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, would visit Pakistan from Oct. 9-11. The delegation, she said, was slated to meet President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a bid to boost economic ties between the two countries. “The visit comes as a follow-up to the understanding reached between Prime Minister Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in April to enhance bilateral economic cooperation,” said Baloch.
The FO spokesperson also marked a year since Israel launched its genocidal actions in Gaza, expressing deep concern over the ongoing violence, and condemning recent Israeli airstrikes on civilian areas, including schools, mosques, and refugee camps. “We honor the 42,000 lives lost, overwhelmingly women and children,” she said, while condemning strikes on the Khalifa Ben Zayed school in northern Gaza, a mosque in Deir Al Balah, and refugee camps in Jabalia and Tulkarm as “egregious war crimes.”
Baloch reiterated Pakistan’s call for the United Nations Security Council to impose an immediate and permanent ceasefire. “Israel shall be held accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity,” she said, adding Pakistan remains deeply concerned about the starvation and genocide of the people of Gaza.
“As we reflect on the last year of the conflict, we call upon the U.N. Security Council to act decisively and impose an immediate and permanent ceasefire protecting the people of Gaza. Israel shall be held accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity,” she asserted.