ISLAMABAD: Pakistan states that while it would not assign a verdict yet on the status of talks being held in Istanbul between Islamabad and Kabul, its demand is “a single liner”, and “simple”, something the mediators, Turkiye and Qatar, fully endorse on the basis of the evidence provided.
“The demand is that based on information provided these infiltrators of Fitna Al Khwarij should not be allowed to operate from Afghan soil and kill innocent Pakistanis. A verifiable mechanism should be created. The demand is simple. It has been made through a document which is empirical and logical. It is for the Afghan Taliban regime to act upon it and agree on a verifiable mechanism,” said the spokesperson at the Foreign Office during the weekly media briefing.
To a query he pointed out that present describing these ongoing talks as “deadlock”, “stalemate”, “impasse”, are different words assigned to a very difficult negotiation process.
“You have used one of these words, i.e.: deadlock. You are entitled to use it. I would like to refer back to my original comment that our delegation is in Istanbul, as we speak. The mediators are also there. So, let’s wait,” he said.
Clarifying Pakistan’s demands being made in Istanbul, he said these were in the context of the set of information shared by Pakistan.
“These are the empirical, logical sets of information on the presence of Fitna Al Khwarij in Afghanistan, their abettors, their movement, the formation of tashkeels and the trends to that effect. So, this is the kind of evidence-based, verifiable, empirical information which is contained in Pakistan’s document,” he said.
The mediators, Turkiye and Qatar, are also interceding, on the basis of this evidence-based information provided by Pakistan.
“So, this is how the dynamics are working. And, you are entitled to your pessimism on the previous round of talks. As for the current round, let us wait and see how things unfold before we come to a final word on this,” he added.
Referring to Thursday round of talks the spokesperson said that these commenced with the Afghan Taliban regime with the presence and participation of the mediators.
“Pakistan delegation has handed over its evidence-based, justified and logical demands to the mediators, with singular aim to put an end to cross border terrorism.”
The mediators fully endorse Pakistan’s stance on the basis of the evidence provided by our side as well as the tenets of international law and principles. The mediators are discussing Pakistan’s demands with the Afghan Taliban delegation, point by point,” he said.
Any other information, he pointed out, being circulated on social media, especially Afghan accounts, is either pure speculation or deliberate disinformation.
“Such false information may please be disregarded,” he requested, at a time when Pakistan’s delegation is being headed by the ISI DG. Additional Foreign Secretary for Afghanistan and West Asia Syed Ali Asad Gilani is also part of the delegation.
The spokesperson further pointed out that the idea of a verifiable monitoring mechanism is very much on the table. It has not been taken off from the agenda.
“Pakistani side has offered very clear, evidence-based, empirical information with concrete coordinates, on the basis of which, we believe, this verifiable mechanism can be formed. This is on the table. Our delegation, as we speak, is still in Istanbul. And as I stated that as long as they are in Istanbul, I do not have a final word on the conclusion or on the process of this particular round. So, let’s not come to a conclusion on failure of talks,” he said.
While it is difficult for the Foreign Office to speculate the scenario if the Istanbul talks fail, “In any eventuality, we will protect the lives of our people and make sure that our innocent civilians, our military forces, our law enforcement agencies on the border are not killed from attacks emanating from Afghanistan,” he said.
Pakistan reiterates its rejection of the false claim by Afghanistan side regarding this Chaman incident.
“Actually--firing was initiated from the Afghan side to which our security forces responded immediately and in measured and responsible manner. Regarding opening of border, these are the kind of incidents which are stopping opening of border. If with closed borders, at the crossings or around the crossings, we face this kind of unprovoked attacks, then obviously, the security situation warrants that these border openings, sort of remain closed. As I said last week that opening of border will depend on the evaluation of the security. So obviously, the incident, on Chaman border does not contribute to any positive assessment to the evaluation of border that would lead to the opening of these border crossings,” he said.
To another query, he said that Pakistan’s charter of demand is very empirical, grounded in facts, and with full coordinates but the charter of demands from the Afghan side is more abstract.
“They are making demand as tit for tat. Afghan demands seems like a knee jerk reply and to the demands that we have made. But what I can tell you is that our demands are logical, evidence based, empirical, and to my understanding, the demands by the Afghan side are reactionary and just abstract.
“As regards the format of the negotiations, I know for the fact that mediators, and both Afghanistan and Pakistan are in the talks. They are participating and back and forth information is being shared. The round of talks that took place yesterday had these mediators present and participating,” he added.
The fact that terrorism in Pakistan from Afghan soil directed by New Delhi, said the FO spokesperson, would obviously be part of the discussion and Pakistan’s interlocutors would be raising these issues during the Istanbul talks.
To a query on the deployment of Pakistani troops to Gaza as part of the International Stabilisation Force, he said the decision will be taken in due course, as and when required. Certain quarters from the government have stated that the decision will be taken by Parliament, which is an important point as well.
Regarding speculations on the question of intelligence chiefs meeting reported by Indian media, the spokesperson said it was better not to talk about the fairy tales projected by the Indian media.
“There was absolutely no truth in meeting of intelligence agencies or any demands for hefty payments for Pakistan. The precious lives of Palestinians are too invaluable to be attached with a price tag,” he added.
As President Trump keeps repeating about the number of planes that Pakistan had shot down during the May conflict with India and the mention of the same by President Trump, the spokesperson responded, “The number of planes shot down by our brave Air Force, be these six, seven or eight, is part of history. It stands out as a landmark event in the history of air warfare. We stand by the numbers that have been given by our spokespersons from the ISPR and the Air Force. The number of planes which were shot down is important. But perhaps more important is the fact that an act of aggression by an aggressor India, much larger in size, was repulsed and deterred by Pakistan. This is the message that India ought to take.”
He in fact praised President Trump for playing a positive role in this conflict, particularly, when India requested the US’s intercession to end this conflict.
“The role of the President of the United States was positive, and we hope that it would remain so far, the future. I say this because the war mongering from India continues. Given how some of its political leaders have now transitioned from normal belligerents to serial war mongers. So, stopping this kind of war mongering and threats from India is important”, he said.
Pakistan would like the President of the United States, and indeed larger international community as well as the United Nations, to keep a tab on the issue of peace, security and stability in South Asia--take notice of this bellicose, belligerent war mongering, emanating from New Delhi, and urge India to behave like a normal, civilised country, which is invested in peace and security of its region and beyond, he said.
Regarding the number of Indian jets, that Pakistan brought down, which President Trump has elevated to eight the Spokesperson said that the number is definite.
“The problem is that sometimes India talks of Rafales. So, it could be four Rafales and two other non-Rafale planes, six Rafales or two non-Rafales and so on. The reason why you see different figures is because of the type of the planes that were shot down. If President Trump is saying eight, so it may be six Rafales and two non-Rafales, or five Rafales and three non-Rafales. As such – the issue is the make or model of planes, rather than their numbers,” he remarked.
As far as preparations for war by India-- these continue.
“We have to, as is our religious injunction, ‘keeping our horses and power prepared’. We are instructed to be prepared for war. Accordingly, our military preparedness is robust, and our armed forces and political leadership are fully geared to the defence of our country. This is backed by the resolve of the people of Pakistan, which is the key factor in this overall national determination to protect our sovereignty and territorial integrity against any Indian aggression,” he added.
As far as allegations that there are ISIS elements in Pakistan are concerned, the spokesperson pointed out, is absolutely false and ridiculous as Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism. “We are facing a scourge of violence against our forces and the ISIS is no friend of any civilised society or government. So, if the ISIS is part of demand by Afghan side this is reactionary. Argument peddled by these Afghan accounts or handles in this regard, is absolutely incorrect,” he said.
Commenting on the Zohran Mamdani who was voted as the first Muslim mayor of New York, the spokesperson said that this is an internal matter of the United States.
Pakistan says that the relations between India and the US are between two sovereign countries and Pakistan does not have any objection to that.
