Mohsin Naqvi expresses serious concerns about the use of Afghan soil for attacks on Chinese nationals
LAHORE, May 26 (SABAH): In a major development, Pakistan on Sunday demanded the interim Taliban government in Afghanistan to hand over banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) terrorists involved in the Besham terror attack on Chinese nationals to Islamabad.
Addressing a joint press conference flanked by officials of the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NECTA) at FIA office in Lahore, Interior Minister Senator Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi said: “Whether Afghanistan try the terrorists [in the court of law] or not, it should hand over the militants to Pakistan.”
Mohsin Naqvi announced that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was behind the attack on Chinese nationals in Besham, and that the terrorists involved have been apprehended. He said that China’s relationship with Pakistan in fields of economy, politically, diplomatically and in security has paramount importance for us. Mohsin Naqvi said that both countries support each other on different forums. He said that Chinese cooperation with Pakistan in CPEC project is continuing and we believe that they are working for our betterment and we are working for their betterment.
Mohsin Naqvi revealed that the suicide attack on March 26 targeting Chinese engineers was orchestrated by TTP terrorists, with operations coordinated from Afghanistan. “We have irrefutable evidence of this,” he said. Mohsin Naqvi said that the threats coming from across the border are becoming more complex for the regional security. He said that Chinese nationals were attacked in Besham through a planning.
Mohsin Naqvi expressed serious concerns about the use of Afghan soil for attacks on Chinese nationals. “This is a matter of grave concern for us,” he stated.
The interior minister said that Pakistan has raised the issue with Afghanistan’s interim government, urging them to take action against these terrorists, but so far, there has been no positive response.
He said that terrorists, including those from TTP, are being supported in border areas by the neighbouring country. “We have numerous pieces of evidence supporting this,” he asserted.
Mohsin Naqvi said that the TTP is operating against Pakistani interests and is involved in attacks on Chinese citizens and other acts of terrorism.
He warned that terrorists are exploiting the weaknesses of Afghanistan’s interim government, creating escalating threats to Pakistan’s security from across the border. “These cross-border threats are increasingly complicating our national security,” he said.
In light of these attacks, the minister said that Pakistan has intensified border surveillance, although terrorists still manage to find ways to infiltrate. “The government of Pakistan is well aware of the forces trying to undermine Pakistan-China relations,” Mohsin Naqvi noted.
He emphasised the critical importance of Pakistan-China relations, stating that the security of Chinese nationals is a top priority. “We have implemented new standard operating procedures (SOPs) and are enforcing them strictly,” he added. “We are taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals.” He said that ensuring the security of the Chinese investors and workers is government of Pakistan’s responsibility.