ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said that the onus of the delay in the reopening of border crossings for trade rested with the Afghan Taliban regime, calling trade resumption with Afghanistan a “very risky” game.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said this at the weekly media briefing here on Friday. An important denominator of our trade and economic engagement with Afghanistan is that the support for Fitna Al Khwarij (FAK) and Fitna Al Hindustan (FAH) and their affiliated terrorist organizations by the Afghan Taliban regime should stop.
He said that we are cognizant of the losses sustained by Pakistani traders. But this is an existential threat even for our traders.
Talks with terror groups ruled out: Trade, transit only possible if Kabul takes ‘clear steps’: FO
On 10th and 15th November, the trade posts were actually attacked from Afghanistan. “So, either we get ourselves killed, or we undertake a very risky trade,” the spokesperson said. He admitted that Pakistan has made a “difficult choice” of the trade suspension.
He stated that the success of the TAPI and CASA1000 projects is also incumbent upon the Afghan Taliban Regime. He said that Kabul must halt its support and abetment being extended to terrorist outfits operating from the Afghan soil.
The spokesperson said that the (death) sentence awarded in the trial of the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Hasina Wajid) is an “internal matter of Bangladesh”. He said that the people of Bangladesh are fully capable of addressing their issues in accordance with their own democratic and constitutional processes.
On the visit of the Afghan Trade Minister to India, the Foreign Office spokesperson said that these developments are between the two sovereign countries. Pakistan remains committed to trade connectivity and the improvement of trade ties in the region. Our relations with Afghanistan are based on its own merit and consideration and not on “third-party involvement”.
He said that Pakistan welcomes the statement of the Turkish President on playing the role of mediator between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said that no visit by Turkish ministers and officials has yet taken place. He said, “The visit is being scheduled.”
He said that Pakistan appreciates mediation offers from Russia and Iran as well. He, however, said that it is too early to comment on any specifics or other offers of mediation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The spokesperson further said that the Indian leadership, both political as well as military, continues to monger war and issue hostile statements. He said that Pakistan has no option but to remain “vigilant”.
Responding to a question, the spokesperson defended Pakistan’s decision to vote in favour of the UN Security Council’s resolution on Gaza. He said that Russia and China made statements on why they have abstained. He rejected the impression that there are any differences between Pakistan and China on this issue.
The fact is that there were convergences between Pakistan and China’s position on Palestine, and indeed with the Russian position. He said that Pakistan strongly condemns the continuing violations by the Israeli occupying forces and extremist settlers against the Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank, including repeated storming of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and provocations against worshippers. Such actions constitute a blatant violation of international law and the relevant UN resolutions, he said.
He also said that Pakistan remains gravely concerned about the persistent and serious human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The prevailing policies, marked by widespread detentions, arbitrary arrests, and extensive restrictions on fundamental freedoms, continue to amount to collective punishment of the occupied Kashmiri population.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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