ISLAMABAD: On Thursday, the Foreign Office of Pakistan distanced itself from Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s visit to Afghanistan, emphasizing that the government is not endorsing it.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the FO spokesperson, initially declined to comment on the visit but later clarified that the JUI-F chief went to Afghanistan in a private capacity. She mentioned that the FO would seek a briefing from him regarding the visit.
Addressing Pakistan’s stance on dialogue with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the spokesperson stated that Pakistan is not interested in such discussions due to the TTP’s history of carrying out terrorist attacks within Pakistan. The FO urged the Afghan interim government to take action against these terrorists.
Regarding diplomatic matters, the spokesperson affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, highlighting discussions with Afghan Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi during his recent visit.
On a different note, the FO responded to former Indian diplomat Ajay Bisaria’s claims about the 2019 Balakot strike, terming them “surprising.” The spokesperson dismissed Bisaria’s account, labeling the Pulwama incident as a staged political game and asserting that the Balakot airstrike proved to be a nightmare for India.
Furthermore, the FO expressed condemnation for the terrorist attack in Iran’s Kerman, emphasizing the need for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the region.
Pakistan also voiced support for South Africa’s case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, asserting that Israel’s actions against the Palestinian people constitute war crimes and genocidal acts.
The FO reiterated its call for a just solution to the Palestinian question, advocating for the creation of an independent Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders.
