Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi says talks with AfghanTaliban regime commenced in Istanbul yesterday with the presence andparticipation of mediators.
Speaking at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad this afternoon, he saidPakistani delegation has handed over its evidence-based justified andlogical demands to the mediators with singular aim to put an end tocross-border terrorism.
The Spokesperson said the mediators fully endorsed Pakistan stance on thebasis of the evidence provided by Islamabad as well as by the tenets ofinternational law and principles. He said the mediators are discussingPakistan’s demands with Afghan Taliban delegation point by point.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi said any other information being circulated on thesocial media, particularly from Afghan handlers or Afghan accounts iseither pure speculation or deliberate disinformation. He requested thatsuch false information may please be disregarded.
Talking about disinformation flashed by the India, the Spokesperson saidPakistan categorically rejects the unfounded and misleading allegationsthat members of Hindu community were denied entry into Pakistan.
He said these claims are entirely baseless and represent yet anotherattempt by India to distort facts and politicize a matter that was purelyadministrative in nature.
Setting the record straight, Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan issuedover 2,400 visas to the pilgrims from India, mostly Sikh brothers andsisters, to participate in the celebration marking the birth anniversary ofBaba Guru Nanak Dev Ji from 4th to 13th of this month. On Tuesday last, atotal of 1,933 pilgrims successfully crossed into Pakistan through theAttari-Wagha border. He said it is pertinent to note that approximately300 pilgrims who were legitimate visa holders were denied entry by theIndian authorities from crossing over.
The Spokesperson underscored that the entire immigration process on thePakistan side was smooth, orderly, and free of any hindrance. He said a fewindividuals were found to possess incomplete documents and were unable toprovide satisfactory response to our immigration authorities.Consequently, they were requested to return to the Indian side inaccordance with the shared procedures.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi said these individuals, upon completion of theirdocuments, will be allowed entry into Pakistan. He said to suggest thatthese individuals were denied entry on religious grounds is completelyinaccurate and mischievous.
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The Spokesperson said Pakistan has always welcomed pilgrims of all faithsto visit sacred religious sites under a well-established and facilitativeframework. He said any attempt to give this issue a communal or politicalcolour is not only regrettable, but also reflects the prejudicial mindsetthat increasingly dominates Indian government and media narratives.
Replying to a question, the Spokesperson said Pakistan’s demand to theAfghan Taliban regime is that the infiltrators of Fitna-al-Khawarij shouldnot be allowed to operate from the Afghan soil and kill innocent Pakistanis.
Replying to another question, he said the war mongering from Indiacontinues. The international community including the United Nations and theUnited States should take notice of these bellicose, belligerences and warmongering emanating from New Delhi. They should also urge India to behavelike a decent, normal and civilized country, vested in peace and securityin its neighbourhood, its region and beyond.
Answering yet another question about Indian war preparations and militaryexercises, Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan’s military preparedness is robust.The Armed Force, the political leadership and the people of Pakistan arefully geared to the defence of the country and protect sovereignty andterritorial integrity in the wake of Indian aggression
Tahir Hussain Andrabi also expressed his profound sadness at thedevastating earthquake in northern Afghanistan, claiming precious lives andcausing widespread destructions.
Praying swift recovery of the injured and affected individuals, he extendedheartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Afghanistan