ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reiterated that it has no designs to enter into any talks with banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). At her weekly news briefing in Islamabad today, Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the terrorist group is involved in the killing of Pakistani and foreign citizens inside Pakistan.
She said that Pakistan respects Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. She said, “We expect the Afghan authorities to uphold their sovereignty and take action against terrorist organizations which have found sanctuaries in Afghanistan and using their territory for terrorist strikes against Pakistan.
Afghan Refugees
Replying to a question, Baloch said that Islamabad is committed to implement Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan. She stated that the first phase of this plan is near completion and referred to the illegal foreigners including Afghans repatriated to their home states.
She clarified that Islamabad has not given any understanding to the UNHCR for the suspension of the plan. The spokesperson pointed out that the government has approved one-year extension of the validity of Proof of Registration cards of the Afghan refugees.
Pak-US Ties
To another question, Baloch said Islamabad and Washington have a multifaceted and a robust partnership. She further said that they believe that this relationship should move forward on the basis of mutual respect, sovereign equality and non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs.
More to be followed……
