Pakistan’s Foreign Office has denied any formal knowledge of reported peace negotiations with Afghanistan in Saudi Arabia, reaffirming that the Pakistan-Afghanistan border will remain closed until Kabul provides concrete assurances against cross-border terrorism.
Speaking at a weekly briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Hassan Andrabi said many media reports could not be categorically verified, describing them as potentially misleading. He clarified that the border closure is a security measure, not a political dispute, and highlighted that Afghan nationals involved in crimes in Pakistan were part of the concern.
Andrabi stressed that Pakistan has always supported humanitarian access, but border policy depends on Afghanistan’s cooperation in preventing terrorist infiltration. The border will reopen only when Pakistan receives credible guarantees that terrorists and their facilitators will not cross into its territory.
Regarding international developments, Andrabi noted Turkish President Erdoğan’s visit to Islamabad faced scheduling changes, possibly due to Taliban non-cooperation. On Russia-India defence ties, he said Pakistan respects sovereign relations but voiced concern over India’s discriminatory policies toward Muslims, highlighting the upcoming 33rd anniversary of the Babri Mosque demolition.
On bilateral engagements, Andrabi highlighted Kyrgyzstan’s presidential visit, signing of 15 MoUs, trade expansion plans, and meetings with Egypt’s foreign minister, emphasizing Pakistan’s focus on regional and global diplomatic ties.
<a href=”http://republicpolicy.com”>Follow Republic Policy</a>
