Mullah Yaqoob’s claims can’t mask militants’ safe havens in Afghanistan: FO

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said Friday that Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob cannot downplay the seriousness of the presence of Pakistani militant groups using Afghan soil to carry out terrorism in Pakistan.

Mullah Yaqoob said earlier this week that “Pakistan security agencies are weak, and that they shift the blame for their own failures to stop the TTP and BLA’s activities on Afghanistan.”

“It appears to be an exercise in irony. Whatever the statement issued from the other side, it cannot mask the seriousness of this issue. The enormity of the matter cannot be diminished by however many statements are issued,” Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali said when asked about Mullah Yaqoob’s remarks.

The Afghan defence minister had dismissed Pakistani leaders’ claims that militant groups use Afghan soil for attacks, instead accusing Islamabad of shifting blame. “TTP (the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) and BLA (the banned Baloch Liberation Army) conduct their operations inside Pakistan, hundreds of kilometres away from the Durand Line,” Yaqoob had said.

But the Pakistani spokesman reiterated that terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan, particularly those of Fitna Al Khawarij, remain a grave concern.

He said at his weekly briefing that the matter has been discussed with utmost seriousness at very senior levels between the two countries. “It remains one of the key issues bedevilling relations between two close neighbours, and the main impediment to the kind of relationship that should exist, given our shared faith, culture, history, and language. So, I would just reiterate that this remains a very serious issue which needs to be addressed by the Afghan side.”

Pakistan pursues diplomacy with Kabul

The spokesman said Pakistan has consistently prioritised diplomacy with Kabul, even in the face of persistent threats emanating from terrorist hideouts inside Afghanistan.

“We urge the Afghan authorities to ensure that their territory is not used as a launchpad for terrorist activities against Pakistan. Groups like Fitna Al Khawarij represent a common threat to regional peace and stability, necessitating collective action to counter their malign influence,” Shafqat said.

He added that Pakistan remains committed to resolving challenges through dialogue and constructive engagement, believing both countries share an interest in combating terrorism and restoring stability. “Afghanistan should be able to reclaim its sovereignty and security, and groups like Fitna Al Khawarij need to be combated robustly,” he said.

Drone strikes

The spokesman did not directly respond to a question about alleged drone strikes in Nangarhar and Khost, saying only that Pakistani security forces and law enforcement agencies conduct targeted operations in border regions to protect citizens from terrorist threats, particularly those posed by Fitna Al Khawarij.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said on August 28 that it had summoned the Pakistani ambassador in Kabul “in response to Pakistani military airstrikes on Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Khost provinces, which resulted in the martyrdom of three civilians and injuries to seven others.”

Ambassador Shafqat said Pakistani forces’ operations were “meticulously planned based on credible and actionable intelligence and executed with precision.”

Pakistan’s FM urges Kabul to take action against TTP, BLA

He added that Pakistan respects Afghanistan’s sovereignty and remains committed to dialogue and cooperation to address the shared challenge of terrorism.

Afghan refugees’ repatriation

Responding to questions about the repatriation of Afghan refugees, the spokesman said Pakistan has the sovereign right to decide on the stay of foreigners.

“This is the global norm, and this is our sovereign decision regarding who we allow to enter or stay in our country. Any person who is illegal will be repatriated,” he said, as the repatriation of some 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees is currently under way.

UNHCR voices concern over Pakistan’s move to repatriate Afghan refugees

He added that no country has been as generous a host as Pakistan, which has sheltered Afghans for nearly five decades.

“What we are saying is that people who have no documentation will be sent back. Pakistan is doing what any other country would do, including in Europe and elsewhere. This is our territory, and we decide who stays. At the same time, any Afghan who wishes to come is welcome with a valid visa. We have a very liberal visa regime for Afghan people,” he said.