India’s statement on Balochistan attack confirms Pakistan’s view on New Delhi’s role: FO

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi on Thursday highlighted that the reaction of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), following the recent terror attack in Balochistan, effectively corroborated Pakistan’s long-standing position regarding external involvement in destabilizing activities.

Speaking weekly, FO spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said India’s comments also followed a recent terror attack in Balochistan, which Pakistan said underlines India’s role in promoting extremist activities in the region.

“And in light of the Balochistan terror incident, India’s comments effectively confirm Pakistan’s stance,” he said.

Read also: 34 dead in Balochistan, KP anti-terrorist operation

Andrabi also highlighted the 19th anniversary of the 2007 Samjhauta Express attack, which killed more than 70 people. He said the accused, including Swami Aseemanand, Indian Army officer Lieutenant Colonel Purohit and former BJP legislator Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, had publicly admitted their involvement but remained at large.

“The four convicts involved in the Samjhauta Express attack remain free. India has not brought them to justice,” he said, describing India’s systemic exoneration of the perpetrators as evidence of state complicity in terrorism against Pakistan.

Andrabi further said that the current Indian regime has allowed Hindutva extremism and saffron terror, which motivated the attack almost two decades ago, to escalate. He demanded a fair trial in which all perpetrators and accomplices of the Samjhauta Express attack would be held accountable, adding that the families of the victims deserved justice.

The spokesperson also highlighted the visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Qatar on February 23 and 24, invited by the emir, who expressed his desire to strengthen economic ties. During the visit, the prime minister also met Qatar’s defense minister and minister of state, he said.

He said the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of political engagement. They stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, particularly in trade, investment and economic collaboration.

The Emir of Qatar reiterated his commitment to deepen economic partnership with Pakistan at a higher strategic level. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments, emphasizing dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful dispute resolution.

Andrabi further said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from February 26 to 28 to participate in an extraordinary ministerial session of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), being held today in Jeddah.

The emergency session was called to consider what Pakistan described as illegal decisions by Israeli occupation authorities aimed at expanding settlements, seeking annexation and imposing sovereignty over the occupied West Bank.

At the ministerial meeting, Dar will present Pakistan’s perspective on Israel’s moves to convert areas of the occupied West Bank into what he called “so-called state lands.” On the sidelines of the session, he is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of OIC member states.

The spokesperson noted that Pakistan joined the joint statements by OIC members and other countries strongly condemning recent Israeli actions extending illegal control over the West Bank, describing such measures as violations of international law and threats to regional peace and stability.