Pakistan has called on the international community to step up its counter-terrorism efforts and condemned Thursday’s shooting in Washington DC as an act of terrorism. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi expressed his condolences to the affected families.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ weekly press conference, Andrabi recounted and condemned the murder of Chinese citizens in Tajikistan and expressed his condolences to the two countries. Three Chinese workers in Tajikistan were killed in an attack launched from Afghanistan near the border, Tajik authorities said Thursday.
He stated that reports have suggested that an Afghan national may have been involved in the incident in the United States. “Pakistan has faced numerous terrorist incidents in the last two decades, many of them related to Afghanistan.” The spokesperson stated that the incident in Washington represents a growing case of terrorism and called on Afghanistan to prevent terrorism from originating on its territory.
Andrabi also criticized comments made about Sindh by the Indian Defense Minister, calling them provocative: “Such statements are based on misconceptions. Pakistan supports peaceful resolution of disputes and will not compromise its defense.”
Read: Tajikistan criticizes deadly drone attack from Afghanistan
A United Nations report highlighting human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was mentioned. The report states that 2,800 Kashmiris are currently in Indian custody. Pakistan urged India to release the prisoners.
“Pakistan strongly opposes the installation of a temple flag at the Babri Mosque site. Pakistan expresses concern over hate-driven actions against minorities in India, particularly Muslims.”
The spokesperson also condemned Israel’s ongoing ceasefire violations in Palestine, particularly in Gaza. “Israeli strikes have killed several civilians, including women and children.”
Read more: Three Chinese citizens killed in border clash between Tajikistan and Afghanistan
The spokesperson also confirmed Pakistan’s membership in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
He discussed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s two-day visit to Bahrain, during which productive meetings were held with Bahraini leaders. Pakistan and Bahrain agreed to enhance cooperation in various sectors.
Referring to the two-day visit of Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Andrabi stated that the two countries held important meetings and exchanged views on regional and international issues. Both sides committed to working together in global forums.
