ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has reached the limit of its patience with cross-border attacks originating from Afghan soil, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said on Friday, warning that the country will not allow trade or transit to continue if it puts Pakistani lives at risk.
“We cannot allow commerce to become a license to kill Pakistanis,” he stressed, highlighting that recent attacks on civilians, security forces and traders have crossed a red line.
The spokesperson stressed that the closure of border crossings and suspension of trade with Afghanistan is a direct response to the continued support of elements within the Afghan Taliban regime for terrorist groups, including Fitna al Khwarij and Fitna al Hindustan.
Andrabi emphasized that the success of regional projects such as TAPI, CASA1000 and UAP depends on Afghanistan stopping this support and preventing attacks against Pakistan.
Pakistan welcomed mediation offers from regional players, including Turkey, Iran and Russia, to resolve tensions with Afghanistan, but Andrabi clarified that the delay in the Turkish delegation’s visit is due to scheduling and not lack of cooperation from Pakistan.
He stressed that Pakistan remains open to dialogue, but concrete steps and invitations from these countries are awaited before any formal engagement can take place.
A high-level Turkish delegation including its foreign ministers, defense ministers and intelligence chief will visit Islamabad as part of ongoing efforts to seek rapprochement between Pakistan and the Taliban regime.
Responding to questions regarding the Afghan Commerce Minister’s visit to India, Andrabi noted that Pakistan respects the sovereignty of Afghanistan and its bilateral commitments, but reiterated that Pakistan-Afghanistan relations should be based on merit, not influenced by the involvement of third parties.
On the India-Pakistan front, Andrabi took a cautious stance on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements, saying that assurances that India would not participate in the war “must be taken with a grain of salt” given the continuation of hostile rhetoric.
While acknowledging the US role in easing tensions and President Trump’s claim to prevent another conflict between India and Pakistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan remains alert to continued threats from Indian leaders.
On international issues, Pakistan reaffirmed its principled support for Palestine and voted in favor of the resolution on Gaza in the UN Security Council despite abstentions from China and Russia.
Andrabi criticized Israel’s continued violations of ceasefire agreements and international law, and called on the global community to ensure the protection of holy sites, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and prevent further settler violence.
Pakistan reiterated its support for a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution.
