ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson dismissed reports of a Saudi mediation offer, saying he was unaware of any such initiative but added that Islamabad would welcome third-party efforts to reduce tensions. FO further declared that the ceasefire agreement reached with the Afghan Taliban regime on October 17 was “not holding”, pointing to continued terrorist attacks launched from Afghan soil.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told reporters during the weekly briefing that the understanding was never a conventional border ceasefire but specifically aimed at preventing cross-border terrorism against Pakistan.
“There have been major terrorist attacks even after this ceasefire. In that sense, the ceasefire is not holding, as it was intended to stop attacks inside Pakistan by TTP, Fitna al-Khawarij, and Afghan nationals using Afghan territory,” he stated.
Andrabi expressed pessimism about the truce following recent deadly incidents, including attacks in the federal capital and other parts of the country.
The agreement had followed intense border clashes that began on October 12 when Taliban forces and allied militants initiated unprovoked firing along the Durand Line.
Pakistan’s armed forces responded decisively, eliminating over 200 Taliban fighters and militants, while conducting precision strikes on terrorist hideouts inside Afghanistan, including in Kabul.
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On security preparedness, Andrabi stressed that Pakistani forces remained on high alert and fully capable of countering threats emanating from across the western border.
“Our military preparedness is robust, and the security challenges we face will be addressed with the seriousness they deserve,” he affirmed.
Source: www.dawn.com/news/1999423/ceasefire-with-afghanistan-not-holding-due-to-continued-ttp-attacks-fo”>https://www.dawn.com/news/1999423/ceasefire-with-afghanistan-not-holding-due-to-continued-ttp-attacks-fo
