No deadlock in Istanbul talks: FO spokesperson

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has said that negotiations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban are ongoing in Istanbul and there is no deadlock in the talks.

During the weekly press briefing on Friday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that Afghan soil continues to be used against Pakistan, with cross-border attacks targeting innocent civilians.

Andrabi said that terrorists from Afghanistan plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan, targeting innocent people.”

Pakistan’s primary demand, he said, is that “Afghan territory must not be used against Pakistan.”

Andrabi said that the talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban began in Istanbul a day earlier, being held under the supervision and presence of mediators.

He said that Additional Secretary Syed Ali Asad Gilani is representing the Foreign Office in the Istanbul dialogue, while National Security Adviser and DG ISI Lt-Gen Asim Malik is leading Pakistan’s negotiating delegation.

The spokesperson refuted Indian media reports claiming that Hindu pilgrims were denied entry into Pakistan.

He clarified that Pakistan had issued visas to 2,400 Hindu pilgrims, and the Indian claims were “baseless and contrary to facts.”

He said some pilgrims were turned back due to incomplete documentation, adding that most of the visitors arriving for Baba Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary celebrations were from the Sikh faith, though other faith groups also travelled from India.

On November 4, over 1,900 pilgrims entered Pakistan. “All downed Indian aircraft are part of history now’

Andrabi said that Pakistan’s “brave air force” has downed several Indian aircraft, and “those victories are now part of history.”

He reaffirmed that Pakistan stands by its reported figures regarding the number of Indian aircraft shot down, adding that the Pakistan Air Force defeated a much larger adversary.

He claimed that India had requested a ceasefire through the U.S. president at the time, calling the American stance “extremely significant.”

When asked about confusion over aircraft types, Andrabi clarified that “the number of downed Indian aircraft remains exactly as stated,” despite confusion over models such as Rafale.

Positive expectations from Istanbul talks’

Andrabi expressed hope for a positive outcome from the ongoing Istanbul negotiations but emphasised that Pakistan will protect its citizens at all costs.

He rejected the Afghan Taliban’s claim regarding the recent Chaman border firing incident, saying that the firing had actually originated from the Afghan side.

 “Pakistan’s security forces gave an effective response,” he said, adding that such incidents often lead to border closures.

He noted that the Chaman incident did not set a positive example for reopening border crossings. “Borders with Afghanistan will remain closed until the security situation improves,” he said, adding that decisions regarding border openings will be made keeping the overall security situation in view.

The spokesperson added that the issue of border violations from the Afghan side at Chaman would also be raised during the Istanbul talks.

Reports of Daesh presence in Pakistan are baseless

Tahir Andrabi dismissed reports of the Islamic State’s (Daesh) presence in Pakistan, saying such claims by Afghan social media accounts are “false and contrary to facts.” He stated that “the existence of Daesh cannot be tolerated in any civilised society.”

He also rejected claims that Pakistan’s intelligence agency had held meetings with another country’s agency or sought funds in exchange for Gaza-related military actions. “Pakistan neither held such meetings nor made any financial requests,” he said, adding that Indian media is “known for spreading baseless reports.”