ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Thursday said that the terrorists involved in the deadly attack on a passenger train in Balochistan were in direct contact with their ring leaders based in Afghanistan.
The Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan during his weekly press briefing said Pakistan has been a victim of terrorism that is planned, orchestrated, and sponsored by forces who are operating outside our borders.
“India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan,” he said.
“In our region, unfortunately, we have many forces against peace who do not want to see Pakistan reap the dividends of its unprecedented and sincere efforts in counter-terrorism and in building a peaceful region,” he said.
The security forces successfully eliminated all 33 terrorists, including suicide bombers, while rescuing the hostages in a phased manner in Operation Jaffar Express, Pakistan military’s media wing said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Jaffar Express, travelling from Quetta to Peshawar was attacked by heavily armed terrorists near Sibi on Tuesday.
The terrorists, after blowing up the railway track, took control of the train and held the passengers hostage including women, children, and the elderly, using them as human shields, the statement said.
Shafqat Ali Khan to a question said the latest terrorist attack in Balochistan was also orchestrated and directed by terrorist ring leaders operating from abroad.
“Terrorists were in direct communications with Afghanistan-based planners throughout the incident,” he said.
The spokesperson said Pakistan has repeatedly asked the interim Afghan government to deny the use of its soil for terrorist groups like BLA for their attacks against Pakistan.
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“We urge Afghanistan to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers, of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and cooperate with the government of Pakistan to bring all those who are concerned with this attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism to justice,” he said.
To a question, he said the Indian media is kind of glorifying the banned outfit, BLA, which itself reflects the Indian policy, in some ways, if not officially. “But that is the real thinking in terms of their sponsorship of terrorism in Pakistan, that’s what I can say on this,” he said.
“We know how India has been trying to destabilise its neighbouring countries. It has been running a global assassination campaign,” he said.
US travel ban
Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan to a question said, “We have taken note of recent media reports claiming a possible entry ban on Pakistani nationals from entering the US. As of now, this is speculative.”
He added the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Mission in Washington are in close contact with the relevant US authorities to get any details in this regard. “So far, we have not been given any indication of such a ban on Pakistani nationals,” he said.
Torkham border closure
The spokesperson said there has been propaganda regarding the closure of the Torkham Border as if Pakistan has closed it which is contrary to the facts. He said in the past, the Afghan side once again tried to construct a post within the Pakistani territory.
“We warned them that this is not allowed. We called for a flag meeting but they continued with their activities. Later there was unprovoked firing from the Afghan side on which we retaliated. The border remains closed because of this particular reason,” he said.
The spokesperson said Pakistan wants the border to open but we will not allow any construction by the Afghan side on the Pakistani territory.
“We will continue to urge Afghan authorities to not carry out these activities which hamper not only People to People interaction but also the trade between the two countries” he said.
CPEC a soft target
He said the forces that are involved in terrorism in Pakistan are primarily anti-Pakistan and they don’t want to see Pakistan stable and prosperous and are against anything that helps Pakistan achieve stability and progress.
“So, by virtue of China being a trusted friend and investment partner of Pakistan, CPEC becomes a target,” he said.
HR violations in IIOJK
He said India cannot divert international attention from the well-documented human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
“Repeated invocation of Azad Jammu and Kashmir by the Indian leaders on one pretext or another reflects an expansionist mindset. It also poses serious challenges to regional stability,” he added.
The diplomat said any level of development cannot condone the systematic infringement of the basic human rights in IIOJK.
“Instead of showing concern about the people of Azad, Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian leaders should grant the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir their fundamental rights and freedoms, especially their right to self-determination,” he said.
Iran nuclear deal
The spokesperson replying to a question said Iran is a very important neighbour and a friend of Pakistan. “We have very old and multifaceted relations with Iran. Our stability and common prosperity is possible through a peaceful region, and we support any step which could promote a peaceful resolution of all issues,” he said.
The official said Pakistan has very active cooperation and consultations with Iran on regional and international security issues. “We have extended our support to the JCPOA (nuclear deal) in the past and we would continue to prefer a peaceful outcome, a peaceful settlement of any such ongoing issues,” he said.
Return of the illegal foreigners
Shafqat Ali Khan to yet another question said the government of Pakistan has decided that people with Afghan citizen cards (ACC) should leave the country by 31st March 2025. Beyond that, they will be deemed illegal residents in Pakistan, and the law will take its course.
Displacing Palestinians
The spokesperson said Pakistan has consistently expressed its strong opposition to any plan that seeks to displace the Palestinian people. “Such actions would amount to ethnic cleansing and represent a severe violation of international law,” he noted.
“We view the recent developments positively and remain hopeful that the delivery of essential humanitarian aid along with the restoration of electricity supply to millions of Palestinians will resume promptly,” said the official.
