The spokesperson for the Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan, Mumtaz ZahraBaloch, conveyed on Monday that Pakistan is surprised with the statementsof the senior Afghan officials over the issue of the border closure asthings are very much clear with them. She further said that Pakistan isactively pursuing the eradication of banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)hideouts within Afghanistan.
During an interview on the ARY News program ‘Khabar,’ Mumtaz Zahra Balochemphasized that it is premature to label the ongoing talks between Pakistanand Afghanistan as unsuccessful. Baloch clarified that negotiations withthe Afghan government are ongoing, during which Pakistan has shared itsconcerns.
Baloch highlighted that Pakistan took the step of temporarily closing itsborder with Afghanistan following evidence of incidents in the borderareas, particularly Chitral, on September 6. She stressed that Pakistan’stop priority is the nation’s security, and the border closure aims toprevent cross-border terrorist attacks. Baloch also mentioned that thereopening of the Torkham border cannot be determined with certainty at thistime.
In reference to a UN report indicating the presence of TTP leaders inAfghanistan, Ms. Baloch noted that improved relations between Pakistan andAfghanistan hinge upon the elimination of TTP hideouts in Afghanistan. Shealso recalled a tripartite agreement involving Pakistan, China, andAfghanistan, which pledged that Afghan territory would not be used againstPakistan, expressing optimism that dialogue could resolve outstandingissues.
Responding to a question about Pakistan’s historical ties with Saudi Arabiaand the Middle East, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch did not confirm the arrival ofSaudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Pakistan.
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In response to a statement from the Afghan government regarding the Torkhamborder closure, the FO emphasized the importance of respecting territorialintegrity and preventing Afghan soil from being used for militant attacksin Pakistan. Baloch expressed surprise at the Afghan foreign ministry’sstatement, stating that the interim Afghan authorities are well aware ofthe reasons for the temporary border closure.
Pakistan stressed its commitment to facilitating Afghan transit trade overthe past several decades but asserted that it cannot allow the misuse ofthe agreement. Baloch also underlined that Pakistan could not accept theconstruction of any structures by the interim Afghan government within itsterritory, as it would violate Pakistan’s sovereignty
