Pakistan hands over demands to mediators to end cross-border terrorism

Islamabad: Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi says talks with Afghan Taliban regime commenced in Istanbul yesterday with the presence and participation of mediators.

According to details, while giving a weekly briefing to journalists, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andarabi said our negotiating delegation is in Istanbul. Additional Secretary Ali Asad Gilani is part of the Istanbul negotiating team representing the Foreign Office, and DG ISI Asim Malik is also accompanying the delegation.

He said the Pakistani negotiating team in Istanbul has shared its logical information with the mediators. The mediators are holding point-by-point discussions with the Afghan Taliban about our demands.

He explained that the information provided by Pakistan to the mediators relates to authorship/attribution and the “Fitna al-Khawarij.” Our demands are very simple, clear, attributional, and evidence-based. We will not make any statement or comment until the negotiations are completed and results are available.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said the mediators have given full support to Pakistan’s position in the talks. Do not pay attention to any statements circulating on social media. Pakistan’s clear stance is that Afghan territory must not be used for terrorism; Pakistan has submitted evidence-based demands to the mediators.

In response to a question about the Chaman incident, the spokesperson said we reject Afghanistan’s claim; the firing was initiated from Afghanistan’s side. The Chaman incidents yesterday or today are not a positive sign for opening the border. Borders can be discussed for opening only after positive assessments; the matter of violations at the Chaman border will also be raised in the talks.

He said negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are ongoing and there is currently no deadlock. Afghan territory is continually being used against Pakistan; innocent people are being targeted in the attacks coming from Afghanistan. Pakistan’s fundamental demand is that Afghan soil should not be used against Pakistan.

He said violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (Sindh-TAS agreement) is unacceptable under any circumstances. The people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir are facing India-sponsored terrorism. Rumors about meetings between Indian media, intelligence officers, and payments are fairy tales.

Tahir Andarabi said all the aircraft shot down by our brave Air Force are now part of history. We stand by the number of aircraft shot down by our Air Force. The Pakistan Air Force defeated an enemy many times larger than itself. India requested a ceasefire from the US President; the US President’s position is extremely important.

He added there is confusion regarding the models of the Rafale and other aircraft claimed to have been shot down; the number of aircraft shot down remains exactly as reported. We will, under all circumstances, keep our people safe.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan rejects claims of secret meetings between its intelligence agency and another country’s intelligence service. Pakistan neither held any such meeting nor asked anyone for money in exchange for sending troops to Gaza. Indian media is known for baseless reporting.

Tahir Andarabi said the decision to send a peacekeeping force to Gaza will be taken by Parliament; no decision has yet been made regarding sending a peacekeeping force to Gaza.