Assalam-o-Alaikum,
Thanks for joining us for the Weekly Briefing.
Pakistan has conveyed to the Afghan authorities its serious concern on the terrorist attack at Bannu Cantonment on 15 July 2024 and the continued use of Afghan territory by Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to carry out deadly attacks in Pakistan with impunity.
We strongly urge the Interim Afghan Government to take immediate, robust and effective action against the perpetrators of the 15 July attack and to prevent such attacks in the future. Such attacks undermine bilateral relations and regional stability.
The Bannu Cantonment attack underscores the urgent need for Afghanistan to take concrete and effective action against terrorist sanctuaries within its borders. Despite Pakistan's repeated calls for action, the presence of TTP and other terror groups in Afghanistan continues to pose a serious threat to regional peace and security. We urge Afghanistan to take effective action against these groups and to ensure that the Afghan territory is not used for terrorism against Pakistan. Pakistan remains committed to combating terrorism and ensuring the security of its people.
Pakistan strongly condemns the dastardly terror attack of the 9th of Moharram on Imam Bargah Ali bin Abu Talib in Muscat, Oman that resulted in six deaths including four Pakistani nationals.
The attack on peaceful civilians in a mosque during the holy month of Moharram in the peaceful city of Muscat is reprehensible and inhumane. Such acts of terrorism and violence against peaceful civilians cannot be condoned on any grounds whatsoever.
Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. This attack demonstrates the persistent threat of terrorism posed by terrorist organizations in the region. It is also a reminder of the importance to work together to fight these terrorist entities and to find common solutions to root out this menace from the region.
We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Oman as they contend with this tragedy. Pakistan has offered all possible assistance to Omani authorities in the investigation and in bringing to justice those responsible for this heinous crime in this holy month of Muharram.
Pakistan also condemns in the strongest terms the continued genocidal barrage by Israeli occupation forces on the schools and shelters in Gaza. Over the last 10 days, they have attacked eight schools in Gaza being used as shelters by the displaced civilians. The atrocious attack on the tents of displaced persons in the Al Mawasi area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza resulted in deaths of at least 90 Palestinians, including women and children taking refuge in the camp. Targeting a camp that Israel itself designated as a “safe zone” is another violation of international humanitarian law.
Pakistan also condemns measures being taken by Israel against the creation of a viable and independent Palestinian State. Israel has no locus standi to decide about the future of the lands belonging to the people of Palestine.
Pakistan firmly believes that the only just solution to the Palestinian question is the creation of a viable, secure, contiguous and sovereign State of Palestine on the basis of the pre-1967 borders and with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
We are also concerned about the arrest of participants of a Muharram procession in Srinagar under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for raising pro-Palestine slogans. The incident shows how easily and frequently counter-terrorism laws are invoked by the Indian authorities to oppress and intimidate the Kashmiri people. We urge the occupation authorities to immediately drop the fabricated charges against the arrested mourners, and release them immediately.
Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
Now an announcement.
Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov will visit Pakistan from 22-24 July 2024. He will hold extensive talks with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and call on the Pakistani leadership. The talks between the two sides will cover all aspects of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan and exchange of views on regional and global developments.
Thank you!
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(Sahar Baloch, BBC): How many Pakistani students are stuck in Dhaka and what are the Pakistani authorities doing to bring them back?
Spokesperson: First, you may have seen that this Ministry had issued a statement with regards to the advice that our Mission has sent to Pakistani nationals, including Pakistani students in Dhaka. They have been advised to stay away from protests and to remain in contact with the High Commission for any help. We are following the developments in Bangladesh. Our High Commission is in close contact with Pakistani students and with the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure safety of Pakistani students.
(Sahar Baloch, BBC): My second question is regarding the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group that you spoke about and mentioned at the beginning as well. So, what is Pakistan aiming to do in this case? Is there going to be like a full-fledged operation against the group at all? What information do you have regarding the group as well?
Spokesperson: We have clearly communicated our dismay and concern at the latest attack in Bannu to the Afghan authorities. We have urged them to take robust, effective and immediate action against the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group. Pakistan has said that it will continue to protect itself from terror groups and to ensure the safety and security of its people.
(Anas Mallick, Capital TV): I have a follow-up to Sarah’s question on Afghanistan. So, you mentioned in your statement with regards to the DHM being summoned. Has there any assurance been given on the part of Afghanistan to counter the menace of terror emanating from their soil? And if that's not happening and Afghanistan continues to not act, what are going to be Pakistan's next steps? Are we going to see a repeat of what we saw on the 18th of March?
Spokesperson: I will not indulge in speculation. We have clearly conveyed our concerns to the Afghan authorities and the expectation that Pakistan has that Afghanistan will take action against these terror groups, especially the Gul Bahadur group and individuals who masterminded the latest attack against the cantonment in Bannu. We expect Afghan authorities to take immediate, effective and robust action at the earliest.
(Anas Mallick, Capital TV): I also have a follow-up to last week's questions. Has there been any decision regarding the participation in the Iranian President's inauguration and if so, who will be participating?
Spokesperson: At this point, I am not in a position to announce the level of Pakistan's participation at the inauguration but Pakistan will be represented at the inauguration of the Iranian President.
(Mateen Haider, GTV): Ma'am, my question is related to Afghanistan. You mentioned in your statement when Afghan Charge d’ Affaires was summoned on the involvement of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group. So, has Pakistan also officially shared the wanted terrorist and the details of safe havens with the Afghan authorities? If so, what is their response? Who, according to your information, is supporting these terror groups because without financing, without equipment, without ammunition, without weapons, it's not possible to engage on that level of militancy against the armed forces of Pakistan?
Spokesperson: Pakistan has been engaged in several conversations with the Afghan authorities in the last several months, where we have been exchanging intelligence and information, concrete evidence of individuals and groups responsible for terror attacks inside Pakistan. We expect the Afghan authorities to take concrete action, effective action, robust action against these groups, to disarm the TTP and Gul Bahadur Group and hand over their leadership and those responsible for terror attacks against Pakistan. The Afghan authorities know the whereabouts of these individuals. They are aware of the concerns that Pakistan has about their activities. They are aware of the activities of these individuals and groups and their sponsors. We expect Afghanistan to take immediate and effective action against these terror groups and any sponsors or backers of these terror groups.
(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): Till when Pakistan will continue to demonstrate patience when you say that all concrete evidence has been shared with the Interim Afghan Government and the Interim Afghan Government knows their whereabouts? In the past under the self-defence, hot pursuit option has also materialized. So, until when Pakistan will continue see the deaths of officers and soldiers? My second question is the use of Afghanistan soil against it neighbours. In the recent terror attack in Oman on a mosque, reportedly some Afghans were also involved. So do you expect any collaboration with other countries or nations, as they are fighting against terror?
Spokesperson: I will not comment on your second question because the investigations are ongoing and we are awaiting the information from the Omani authorities about the investigations that they are carrying out following the reprehensible attack against a mosque that resulted in killing of four Pakistani nationals. But, we remain engaged with the Omani authorities in following up on the investigations and facilitating Pakistanis who remain hospitalized. Your first question, again, I believe, is more rhetorical in nature, and I would not like to indulge in speculation. I would like to reiterate that Pakistan will continue to defend itself against all terror groups and to ensure the safety and security of its people.
(Siyar Ali Shah, Khyber News): Two questions. First, related to demarche of Afghan Deputy Head of Mission regarding the Bannu attack. So, what was its reason? Was it because Afghan soil was used or Afghan nationals were involved in this attack?
Spokesperson: So, the purpose of our demarche was to convey to Afghan authorities our deep concern over the involvement of the Gul Bahadur group, that is based in Afghanistan, and we expect Afghanistan to take action against the individuals responsible and the leadership of the terror groups that continue to threaten Pakistan's security.
(Siyar Ali Shah, Khyber News): Malala Yousafzai has expressed some concerns regarding deportation of illegal Afghan refugees. Need your comment on it, please.
Spokesperson: Our position on deportation of foreigners violating Pakistan's immigration laws is clear. We are not aware of Ms. Yousufzai’s commentary on the application of immigration laws of other countries from where foreign nationals, including Pakistani and Afghan nationals, are routinely deported. Furthermore, over 44,000 Afghan nationals in Pakistan are slated to leave for third countries. We wish Ms. Yousafzai would urge these countries to expedite the process of their repatriation.
(Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Ma’am, Fitch (Rating’s agency) has issued a report regarding Pakistan’s current situation and its future. What is Pakistan’s stance on it?
Spokesperson: We have seen the reports, and we will consider making comments on the report after our concerned agencies and departments have examined it.
(Azaz Syed, Geo News): Ma’am, today you've spoken about Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group and previously, we've been talking about the TTP. If we go further back, we've been talking about Taliban; we've been talking about al Qaeda. Would you mind sharing with us the names of the organizations and entities which we have discussed with Afghan authorities and total number of the wanted terrorists, if not the names, that we have conveyed to them.
Spokesperson: This is very specific information, especially with regards to the number of individuals which Pakistan has expressed its concerns with the Afghan authorities over the last several years, and I would consult our concerned division before responding.
(Anwar Abbas, 24 News): Ma'am, I just need your few comments on 1.5 security dialogue being held in Manama, Bahrain today. And secondly, is there any backlog of Coalition Support Fund from during the Musharraf’s era?
Spokesperson: On your second question, I would advise you to contact ISPR, because they are the repository of such information. With regards to your first question, the event that you are referring to is an event being organized by a think-tank, by a European think-tank in Bahrain, as in the past. They extend invitations to individuals in their personal capacity. I do not have anything specific to share with you on that.
(Azaz Syed, Geo News): Has Pakistan’s special envoy to Afghanistan, Mr. Durrani already left for Manama to attend the Conference? Will there be any talks held regarding Afghanistan?
Spokesperson: I am not aware of the travel plans of Ambassador Durrani for participation in this conference.
(Sarah Zaman, VOA): We've heard you, you know, every week talk about how information is being shared with Afghanistan. Recently, a UN report also said that TTP is the biggest group in Afghanistan, and they said that Afghan Taliban are either unwilling or unable to take action. I have two questions. I'll go one by one. First question is, what is Pakistani state's view of why the Afghan Taliban are not able to deliver on the request or the demands that Pakistan is making? Do you agree with the UN assessment the Taliban are unwilling or unable, or is there something more than that?
Spokesperson: I would not like to indulge in an assessment of why a particular action is not taking place. Our concern is that the action that has taken place is insufficient, and the concerns that Pakistan has with regards to these terror groups inside Afghanistan remain. These terror groups are involved in killing of Pakistani civilians (and) law enforcement and security officials inside Pakistani territory. It is the responsibility of the Afghan authorities to rein in these groups, to take effective action against them, to disarm them and to hand over the leadership of these groups and those responsible for terror attacks against Pakistan.
(Sarah Zaman, VOA): The second question, as you said, there are 44,000 people in Pakistan still awaiting repatriation. Can you give a broad breakdown of which countries they are supposed to go to, especially any numbers on the US?
Spokesperson: Sarah, you were not here last week when we gave a breakdown. I can invite you to see the transcript of our last briefing. I can however, specifically with regards to the United States, confirm that the number of Afghan nationals who are to be settled by the United States is over 25,000. Other countries, which will accept Afghan nationals, include Australia, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France and Italy.
(Abdullah Momand, Dawn News): The United States has shown concerns with the latest announcement by the Government of Pakistan that they are going to ban a political party. So, what is your view? And second question is very short. CTD, Punjab has claimed that a close aide of Osama bin Laden, Amin ul Haq, has been arrested in a recent operation from Punjab. So, what is your view on this?
Spokesperson: I do not have the details with regards to your second question so I cannot comment on it. CTD or Ministry of Interior can provide you the details. On your first question. The recent decisions by Pakistani courts, including the Supreme Court of Pakistan, show the strengths of Pakistan's legal and judicial system and the ability of the Pakistani nation to deal with domestic challenges. Commentary from abroad is therefore unwarranted and unacceptable interference in Pakistan's domestic affairs.
(Asghar Ali Mubarak, Daily Mail): Ma’am, we are asking for help in terminating terrorism from those who may be involved and supporting it. Can you share what were our demands to the Afghan Ambassador who was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Will Pakistan like to take this issue to another forum like the United Nations or the Security Council?
Spokesperson: Regarding the demarche that was served on the Afghan DCM, we have already issued a statement. I will not go into the specifics of the discussions that took place between Director General (Afghanistan) and the Afghan DCM. However, we have made it clear to them that time has come for Afghanistan to take effective, concrete and robust action against these terror groups and that Pakistan will continue to defend itself against terrorism and to protect its people.
(Allah Noor Wazir, Mashriq TV): Ma’am, Pakistani government has protested and shared the details of the hideouts and sanctuaries of TTP in Afghanistan. Does Pakistan also aim to attack the hideouts and sanctuaries of TTP in Afghanistan when attacked from TTP’s hideouts?
Spokesperson: I would like to reiterate that Pakistan will continue to protect its citizens against terrorism and any threat to our security. We have conveyed to Afghanistan, in no uncertain terms, our concerns and expectations following the attack on Bannu cantonment. I would not go into further details of our conversations with Afghanistan at this stage.
(Anas Mallick, Capital TV): I've got two questions. First is with regards to the closure of German consulate in Karachi, citing security concerns. And second is with regards to reports of India's decision to not to travel to Pakistan, citing some security concerns and not to play in the 2025 Champions Trophy that is scheduled to be held in Pakistan. Pakistan government's comments on that?
Spokesperson: Regarding your second question, it's a bit premature, we believe, to speak about the Champions Trophy that will take place next year. However, Pakistan has said on multiple occasions that sports and sporting events should not be politicized.
With regards to your first question, we believe that consular missions play an important role in promoting friendly ties and mutually beneficial cooperation. Consulates in various cities offer important consular services and promote business-to-business ties. Closure of operations of any consular mission in Karachi would affect these services and slow down engagement with the biggest metropolis and the financial and commercial center of Pakistan.
(Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya TV): It has been heard that Pakistan demanded weapons from America for the operation. What is your stance on it?
Spokesperson: I would not comment on this. Perhaps the Ministry of Defence can share details with you.
(Saqib Rathore, Kashmir Times): Yesterday, BJP’s Spokesperson in Jammu Kashmir said that Pakistan is again actively intruding in Jammu Kashmir. What is your comment on it?
Spokesperson: Indian officials and political leaders have a habit of blaming Pakistan on anything that wrong goes under their watch. As I just said in my opening remarks, they charge people on terrorist charges for raising slogans for Palestinians. They level terrorist charges against individuals who support opposing teams in cricket matches. So, such remarks cannot be taken seriously by any responsible individual or country.
(Mateen Haider, GTV): Ma'am. So, you repeatedly said that Pakistan hopes that Afghan government will take action against Gul Bahadur group and several other militant organizations, particularly TTP. So, if Afghan authorities do not take any action, will Pakistan resort to military strikes on the safe heavens of the terrorists, as it happened in the past as well?
Spokesperson: Again, I will not indulge in speculation. I would repeat that Pakistan will continue to defend itself against all threats, including the threat of terrorism emanating from any quarter.
(Mohammed Al Akkad, Sputnik): The TLP has organized a sit-in in Faizabad since Saturday. They have several demands, one of them is to announce the Israeli Prime Minister as an international terrorist. So, what is the Pakistani Government’s position regarding this demand?
Spokesperson: Okay, I would not like to comment on something which is going on inside Pakistan. There is a protest on which the Ministry of Interior and our law enforcement authorities are taking the lead. They are engaged with the protesters. So, I would not like to comment on the nature of negotiations between our officials and the protesters.
(Abdullah Momand, Dawn TV): There is a pin drop silence from Foreign Office on the recent Kenyan court decision regarding the Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif. So, what are your views about that decision?
Spokesperson: We have seen the media reports regarding the judgment by the Kenyan court with regards to the case of journalist late Arshad Sharif. Our legal team is perusing the verdict. We will not comment on the substance of the case, since it remains subjudice in Pakistan. We are, however, heartened to see that the court has accepted the principle that loss of life cannot be compensated in monetary terms, nor the pain and suffering that the family must have gone through, and that compensation is an appropriate remedy for redress.
(Ali Hussain, Business Recorder): Has Pakistan received any invitation from the Iranian side to participate in the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected President, and who is going to participate?
Spokesperson: I answered this question earlier. Yes, we have received the invitation, and the final decision with regards to our participation will be made soon and an announcement will be made accordingly.
(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): There are widespread riots in Bangladesh. When there was a situation in Kyrgyzstan, we evacuated our students, maybe in a haste. But since there are many Pakistan-origin students spread over many cities from Chittagong to Dhaka, what is the assessment being perceived here about the riots? Whether the intensity of the riots would compel Pakistan to call back the students?
Spokesperson: We continue to monitor the developments. We have issued advisories for our students. Our students remain in contact with our High Commission, which has facilitated many students who needed safe lodgings. We will continue to assess the situation and make a determination about the continued presence of our students in Bangladesh. We are confident that the people of Bangladesh have the capacity to resolve their domestic affairs and find a peaceful solution to the ongoing situation.
(Anwar Abbas, 24 News): Have we asked Afghanistan to hand over the leaders of the militant groups and de-weaponize them? And secondly, the Afghan government has taken a strict stance regarding the Majalis of Ashura. How does Pakistan see this?
Spokesperson: Regarding your second question, I do not have details. However, we hope that people everywhere have the freedom to participate in religious gatherings during Ashura.
With regards to your first question, what I said is not new. I have spoken about it on multiple occasions. Pakistan has expressed its expectation that action will be taken against those terror groups which are based in Afghanistan and targeting Pakistan. It is also our expectation that these groups will be disarmed and their leadership and individuals who are responsible for terror attacks inside Pakistan will be handed over to Pakistan.
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