ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) said that Pakistan is ‘in constant touch’ with interim government of Afghanistan regarding resurgence of terrorist incidents and cross-border violence. “We have agreed to continue establish institutional mechanism with Afghanistan to prevent such incidents,” FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said this at weekly press briefing, in response to question on clashes between security forces of Pakistan and Afghanistan in Chaman-Spin Boldak area.

Spokesperson said Pakistan had reiterated to Afghan authorities that protection of civilians was responsibility of both sides. “Pakistan remains committed to maintaining its fraternal relations with Afghanistan and ensuring that peace is maintained,” she said. She mentioned that Pakistan continued to engage with international players including Afghanistan to ensure that terrorism emanating from Afghan soil could not affect it.

Spokesperson hoped that Afghan authorities would work towards fulfilling commitments made to Pakistan to not allow their territory to be used against its neighbour. When asked if Pakistan was using China’s leverage to counter Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in backdrop of country’s engagement with Afghanistan, Baloch said Pakistan and China were close strategic partners and “Consult each other on all matters of interest including counter-terrorism and situation in Afghanistan”.

To a question about number of foreign visits by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto after assuming office, she shared list of countries, Saudi Arabia (twice), United Arab Emirates (twice), United States (thrice), China (twice), Switzerland, Iran, Uzbekistan (twice), Cambodia, Uzbekistan, Germany, Egypt, Indonesia and Singapore. In response to delay in disbursement of salaries to Pakistan’s missions abroad, spokesperson said process that faced suspension due to “Very complicated” issue pertaining to Ministry of Finance, State Bank and international channels had been restored. “Soon all missions will have their requisite funds,” she said.

When asked for an update on status of Indian Navy Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav who is serving death sentence in Pakistan, she said, “There is no change in status”. This week, spokesperson said, Pakistan would host Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin, who will lead high-level delegation for Pakistan-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Joint Commission (IJC) an important mechanism to promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

For last several years, India politicised Financial Action Task Force process to prevent Pakistan’s exit from grey list and is following similar agenda at United Nations Security Council, she added. Baloch added India masqueraded itself as victim of terrorism, yet it is itself perpetrator of repression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and sponsor and financier of terrorist groups in South Asia, including Pakistan.

Spokesperson said occupation authorities were sealing properties owned by Kashmiris including those dedicated to educational institutions offering free education to disadvantaged Kashmiris. A property owned by late Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Gillani located in Barzulla Srinagar has also been designated for closure. “India must be held accountable for these grave injustices. Only way to lasting peace in South Asia is by granting people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” she stressed.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 23 2022

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