Imposing ban on any political party is Pak’s internal matter so the other countries should avoid commenting on the matter: FO Spokesperson

ISLAMABAD, July 19 (SABAH): Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said that imposing ban on any political party is Pakistan’s internal matter so the other countries should avoid commenting on the matter. FO spokesperson said that Pakistan could resolve its internal issues. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the announcement of verdict in favor of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) by Supreme Court of Pakistan has clarified the strength of the Pakistan’s judicial system. She said that use of Afghanistan’s soil for terrorism in Pakistan is concerning. FO spokesperson once again asked the Afghan authorities to take immediate and effective action against terrorist groups including their sponsors and backers.

At her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan has provided concrete evidence of individuals and groups responsible for terrorist incidents inside Pakistan. She said we expect the Afghan authorities to disarm the TTP and Gul Bahadar Group, and hand over their leadership including those involved in terrorist incidents to Pakistan.

The FO spokesperson said the Afghan authorities know the whereabouts and actions of these individuals.

Responding to a question, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan will continue to defend itself against all terror groups and ensure the safety and security of its people.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan has conveyed to the Afghan authorities its serious concern on the terrorist attack at Bannu Cantonment on 15 July 2024 and the continued use of Afghan territory by Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to carry out deadly attacks in Pakistan with impunity.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that we strongly urge the Interim Afghan Government to take immediate, robust and effective action against the perpetrators of the 15 July attack and to prevent such attacks in the future. Such attacks undermine bilateral relations and regional stability.

She said that the Bannu Cantonment attack underscores the urgent need for Afghanistan to take concrete and effective action against terrorist sanctuaries within its borders. Despite Pakistan’s repeated calls for action, the presence of TTP and other terror groups in Afghanistan continues to pose a serious threat to regional peace and security. We urge Afghanistan to take effective action against these groups and to ensure that the Afghan territory is not used for terrorism against Pakistan. Pakistan remains committed to combating terrorism and ensuring the security of its people.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan strongly condemns the dastardly terror attack of the 9th of Moharram on Imam Bargah Ali bin Abu Talib in Muscat, Oman that resulted in six deaths including four Pakistani nationals.

She said that the attack on peaceful civilians in a mosque during the holy month of Moharram in the peaceful city of Muscat is reprehensible and inhumane. Such acts of terrorism and violence against peaceful civilians cannot be condoned on any grounds whatsoever.

FO spokesperson said that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. This attack demonstrates the persistent threat of terrorism posed by terrorist organizations in the region. It is also a reminder of the importance to work together to fight these terrorist entities and to find common solutions to root out this menace from the region.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Oman as they contend with this tragedy. Pakistan has offered all possible assistance to Omani authorities in the investigation and in bringing to justice those responsible for this heinous crime in this holy month of Muharram.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan also condemns in the strongest terms the continued genocidal barrage by Israeli occupation forces on the schools and shelters in Gaza. Over the last 10 days, they have attacked eight schools in Gaza being used as shelters by the displaced civilians. The atrocious attack on the tents of displaced persons in the Al Mawasi area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza resulted in deaths of at least 90 Palestinians, including women and children taking refuge in the camp. Targeting a camp that Israel itself designated as a “safe zone” is another violation of international humanitarian law.

FO spokesperson said that Pakistan also condemns measures being taken by Israel against the creation of a viable and independent Palestinian State. Israel has no locus standi to decide about the future of the lands belonging to the people of Palestine.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan firmly believes that the only just solution to the Palestinian question is the creation of a viable, secure, contiguous and sovereign State of Palestine on the basis of the pre-1967 borders and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that we are also concerned about the arrest of participants of a Muharram procession in Srinagar under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for raising pro-Palestine slogans. The incident shows how easily and frequently counter-terrorism laws are invoked by the Indian authorities to oppress and intimidate the Kashmiri people. We urge the occupation authorities to immediately drop the fabricated charges against the arrested mourners, and release them immediately.

Alluding to the Indian oppressive tactics in illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the FO Spokesperson said Pakistan will continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people for the just and peaceful settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.

Meanwhile the FO spokesperson announced that Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov will visit Pakistan from 22-24 July 2024. He will hold extensive talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and call on the Pakistani leadership. The talks between the two sides will cover all aspects of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan and exchange of views on regional and global developments.