Islamabad – A significant portion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ weekly media briefing was dedicated to the ongoing security and humanitarian tensions with the Afghan Taliban regime.
The Need for Written Guarantees
The debate began with journalist Tahir Khan, questioning a recent decree (fatwa) by more than a thousand Afghan intellectuals that military action beyond the borders of Afghanistan is a punishable act. Although the declaration was considered pertinent, Khan questioned whether it met the requirement of Pakistan that the Supreme Leader of the Afghan Taliban regime provide binding guarantees.
The Spokesperson noted that it is encouraging to say that some sections of the Afghanistan society understood the seriousness of the issue but pointed out that previous promises made by the regime were not fulfilled.
“This is exactly why… Pakistan insisted on written assurances from the leadership of the Afghan Taliban Regime on this issue. We will wait, see and evaluate this document, but certainly, we would require written assurances.”
In a follow-up story, another journalist from Dawn News, Abdullah Momand, inquired whether Pakistan had provided documented evidence on the role of Afghan nationals in recent terror attacks in Islamabad and Peshawar.
The Spokesperson observed that diplomatic missions are still diligently pursuing the issue, indicating that some interactions might have been undertaken in this case, concerning the participation of Afghan nationals and their handlers.
Ceasefire Deteriorating and Aid Stalled
The operational reality at the border was also questioned. A journalist from Express News raised the question of the validity of the ceasefire agreement in Istanbul, since the cross-border terrorism is still ongoing, like in the recent case in Chaman.
The Spokesperson clarified that the ceasefire is breached when one continues to attack, and it is clear that the responsibility lies with Afghanistan. He concluded that the overall situation with regard to the ceasefire “may have deteriorated over time.”
Simultaneously, the flow of humanitarian support is being blocked. Responding to a journaliston an update on the humanitarian aid movement after the Afghan regime reportedly announced it would not allow trade.
The Spokesperson explained that Pakistan had already cleared the aid convoy and that it was ready to provide a smooth passage. Nonetheless, he observed that it is at the will of the regime to accept the aid, calling the refusal of humanitarian aid by a state in need “quite an unprecedented event in the international annals.”
Concerns Over Third-Party Support
Another journalist posed a question concerning the defense relationship between India and Israel, wherein he enquired whether there was any chance that India could utilize Israeli drones to back a terrorist assault on Pakistan via Afghanistan.
The Spokesperson acknowledged the question and reiterated Pakistan’s views on defense cooperation between Israel and India. While noting it is a matter for investigation, they stated that the transfer of weapons by India to terrorist elements in Afghanistan “cannot be ruled out,” given India’s documented “active support” to groups operating from Afghan soil.
