There is absolutely no dialogue taking place with TTP: Mumtaz Zahra Baloch
ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (SABAH): Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra has vehemently rejected reports and speculations of talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Responding to the queries of media persons at her weekly briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said there is absolutely no dialogue taking place with TTP.
The FO spokesperson said we have noted the statement of the interim Afghan government that it will investigate Tuesday’s terror attack that took place in Dera Ismail Khan. She said Afghanistan should take strong action against perpetrators of this heinous attack and hand them over to Pakistan along with the TTP leadership in Afghanistan.
The spokesperson urged the Afghan authorities to take concrete and verifiable steps to prevent the use of their soil by terror entities against Pakistan.
She said our law enforcement agencies have determined that the recent terror incidents in Pakistan have their links with individuals belonging to the TTP or its affiliates who have sanctuaries and hideouts inside Afghanistan.
As regards the Indian Supreme Court’s endorsement of India’s illegal and unilateral action of 2019, the FO spokesperson said the Indian Supreme Court has absolutely no jurisdiction over Jammu and Kashmir which is an internationally recognized disputed territory. The final disposition of Jammu and Kashmir will be guided by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. She said Pakistan will continue to extend political, moral and diplomatic to the Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
She said that Pakistan appreciates the messages of sympathy and condolences from the international community over Tuesday’s terrorist attack on Pakistan security forces in Dera Ismail Khan.
She said that the members of the UN Security Council have condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack and expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences. They have also recalled that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to which Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan is affiliated, is listed by the Security Council ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee.
She said that the members of the Security Council have underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. They have urged all States to cooperate actively with the Government of Pakistan, as well as all other relevant authorities in this regard.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan welcomes the resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 12 December 2023, demanding an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire”, and “ensuring humanitarian access” to the people of Gaza.
The UNGA resolution is a reflection of an international consensus and growing global public anger at the ongoing Israeli atrocities that have claimed the lives of more than 18000 Palestinians, with about 8000 children. It is critical that the international community brings an end to Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Palestinian people.
She said that Pakistan condemns the increasing Israeli hostilities in the West Bank and attacks against Lebanon and Syria which are in breach of the territorial sovereignty of these countries. Israel is acting in complete disregard of International Law and humanitarian norms. The international community should take meaningful action to stop the expanding Israeli aggression which can trigger a wider and more dangerous conflict engulfing the entire region.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan believes that lasting peace in the Middle East hinges on the peaceful and just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in accordance with the relevant UNSC and OIC resolutions.
She said that Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe), Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan visited Moscow from 11-14 December 2023 to hold bilateral consultations with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko. The two sides positively assessed the development of bilateral relations and agreed to enhance high-level dialogue and engagement and cooperation in trade, energy counter-terrorism and connectivity. The two sides also agreed to continue constructive engagement on regional issues including Afghanistan and cooperation at multilateral fora, especially the United Nations and Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
She said that On the sidelines of the consultations, Pakistan’s National Coordinator for SCO Altamash Wazir exchanged views with his Russian counterpart to discuss cooperation in the framework of the Shanghai Cooperating Organization.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Asif Durrani is representing Pakistan at the second Global Refugee Forum (GRF) being held in Geneva from 13-15 December 2023.
She said that the GRF brings together the international community to discuss global refugee situations and examine joint pathways for burden and responsibility sharing for refugees. As a major refugee-hosting country for over four decades, Pakistan is among the pioneer co-conveners of the GRF.
“In today’s session, Ambassador Durrani will underline that international burden sharing and responsibility needs to be more proportionate, equitable and predictable. He will also call for continued international responsibility in supporting Afghan refugees, one of the oldest protracted refugee situations” she said.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan-UK Counter-Terrorism dialogue is being held today in Islamabad. Director General (Counter Terrorism) Abdul Hameed will lead the Pakistan side while the UK delegation will be headed by the Head of Counter Terrorism and Extremism Network (CTEN) for Asia Chris Felton. The two sides will discuss bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism, especially cyber-security cooperation, counter-terrorism finance, capacity building and cooperation among counter-terrorism-related institutions. The dialogue will also cover the exchange of assessment on the regional counterterrorism landscape and counter-terrorism cooperation at multilateral forums.