Pakistan demands Afghan authorities to prevent border escalation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesperson demanded Afghan government addressed to “restraint” from border escalation on Friday.

During a press conference held on Friday, the Foreign Office spokesperson stated that the Pakistani forces acted within their rights of self-defense during an incident at the Torkham border on August 12, where Afghan troops reportedly engaged in indiscriminate firing.

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The spokesperson asked the Afghan Taliban government to practice restraint and avoid further escalation. They said that Pakistan was resolved to protect its territory while remaining open to diplomatic resolutions.

Cross-border incidents between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Border disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan have worsened since the Taliban took control of Kabul, resulting in multiple incidents of cross-border firing. Recently, the Torkham border was closed for three days due to such confrontations.

Although communication channels between the two countries are in place, tensions persist. The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan has the right to defend itself. However, they called for a need to resolve conflicts through diplomatic means, without discussing the historical context of the border disputes.

Strengthening ties with Türkiye

The briefing also covered the recent seventh session of the Pakistan-Türkiye Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) held in Islamabad.

Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz led the discussions, focusing on improving bilateral relations.

The talks aimed to reinforce high-level engagement, implement existing agreements, and upgrade the Pakistan-Türkiye Strategic Economic Framework (SEF). Both nations pledged to bolster cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, security, and cultural exchange.

International concerns

The spokesperson condemned the recent increase in violence in Gaza, that has killed hundreds of Palestinians in just few days.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said that Pakistan called for immediate international action to address the crisis and hold Israel accountable for its actions.

The spokesperson also denounced the recent intrusion into al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers and called for the protection of religious sites in Jerusalem, aligning with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s concerns over Israeli policies.

Regional and global issues

On the matter of global conflicts, the spokesperson expressed concern over the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war while reiterated Pakistan’s call for a peaceful resolution.

Regarding allegations of Pakistani interference in Bangladeshi internal matters, the spokesperson dismissed these claims as unfounded, and talked about Pakistan’s respect for Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

Consular affairs and diplomatic initiatives

The briefing also touched on the situation of Pakistani nationals abroad, including recent arrests in Iraq. The spokesperson said that efforts were ongoing to improve management of religious tourism and ensure the welfare of Pakistani pilgrims abroad.

The spokesperson mentioned that Pakistan was working to provide consular access and legal assistance to its nationals incarcerated overseas.

Health concerns and international diplomacy

Regarding health issues, the spokesperson acknowledged the detection of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases in Pakistan and stated that health authorities would provide further guidance.

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On the diplomatic front, the spokesperson confirmed preparations for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Governments Meeting in Islamabad and addressed questions about Pakistan’s role in international diplomatic efforts, including those related to Iran and Israel.