Pakistan on Friday categorically ruled out any possibility of negotiations with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) or any other terrorist groups, reiterating that recent terror attacks in the country have intensified under the Afghan Taliban regime.
Addressing the weekly media briefing, the Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan supports dialogue with governments, but not with terror outfits.
“Pakistan has never eschewed dialogue with any government in Kabul. However, Pakistan will not hold dialogue with any terrorist groups, be it Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA),” he said.
He added that the rise in terrorism coincided with the Afghan Taliban’s return to power.
“Since the Taliban regime came to power in Afghanistan, there has been a sharp surge in terrorist attacks emanating from Afghan soil on Pakistan. Throughout these years, Pakistan, despite suffering military and civilian casualties, exercised maximum restraint and did not escalate,” he said.
The spokesperson said the third round of talks with the Afghan Taliban regime concluded in Istanbul on November 7, appreciating the “sincere efforts” of Qatar and Turkiye for facilitating the process.
He, however, dismissed Kabul’s recent claim that it is unable to act against the TTP as “unbelievable”.
“A regime cannot absolve itself of responsibility in this manner,” he remarked.
He said Pakistan has seen statements from Afghan leaders regarding trade but stressed that it remains a sovereign matter.
He said that trade is the individual prerogative of any country. Trade with Afghanistan is possible only after terrorism ends. “Trade is not more important than human lives,” he said.
The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s demand that Kabul prevent its territory from being used for cross-border terrorism.
He confirmed that militants involved in recent attacks on Islamabad were Afghan nationals.These attacks reflect the severity of the situation inside Afghanistan. It is the Afghan government’s responsibility to act. Pakistan will take every possible step to protect its citizens, he said.
Responding to a question about Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Tourism Sardar Yasir Ilyas’s reported meeting with an Israeli minister, the spokesperson said he had “no knowledge” of such an interaction.
On the situation in Gaza, he said Pakistan has not decided on sending troops.
The matter is under discussion in the Security Council. Pakistan will decide after the Council’s decision and through consultation with all stakeholders, including parliament, he said.
Commenting on India, the spokesperson said New Delhi was trying to divert attention from its internal challenges.
The spokesperson said Indian leadership is spinning narratives after the recent blast, adding that it was not unusual for Indian media to circulate Muslim names in such incidents.
He also welcomed the Sri Lankan cricket team’s visit to Pakistan and noted that Jordan’s King Abdullah II is visiting Islamabad to strengthen bilateral ties.
The spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s confidence in its security forces.
“The Pakistan Armed Forces have the capability to counter every form of terrorism,” he said.
