India Supporting Terrorism at Regional and Global Levels: Foreign Office

Islamabad:Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Thursday strongly rejected what it termed as “baseless statements” by Indian officials, stating that India has a documented record of supporting terrorism at both regional and global levels.

Addressing the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that India’s allegations against Pakistan cannot conceal its own actions that undermine peace in the region. “India should reform itself instead of lecturing others,” he remarked.

The spokesperson said that January 5 was observed as the Right to Self-Determination Day for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He accused India of attempting to silence Kashmiri leadership, noting that thousands of Kashmiri leaders remain imprisoned in Indian jails. He added that the unilateral steps taken by India on August 5, 2019, were “illegal and black measures.”

He reiterated that Pakistan will continue to extend political and moral support to the Kashmiri people.

Commenting on reports about a possible JF-17 aircraft deal between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy broad-based defence cooperation, but the Foreign Office has no information regarding any such agreement at present. “If anything materializes, it will be shared at the appropriate time,” he said.

Tahir Andrabi also highlighted that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently visited China and participated in the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, following which a joint communiqué was issued.

He further condemned the demolition of Faiz Elahi Mosque and adjacent properties in Delhi, calling it part of India’s campaign against Muslims and a continuation of the 1992 demolition of Babri Mosque and the subsequent construction of a temple. He described these actions as part of what he termed a “Hindutva-driven campaign of hatred against minorities.”

On regional issues, the spokesperson said Pakistan opposes any foreign interference in Iran’s internal matters. He reiterated Pakistan’s clear stance on Somaliland, stating that Islamabad has opposed the so-called illegal state on various forums and considers it a conspiracy to divide brotherly Somalia.

Regarding Afghanistan, Andrabi said Pakistan does not seek hostile relations with its neighbour and has a simple demand that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism in other countries. He stressed that Pakistan seeks verifiable, written, and concrete guarantees along with their implementation, adding that such assurances are also in Afghanistan’s own interest.

He also confirmed that the trilateral mechanism among Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan would continue. The continuation of this mechanism was agreed upon during the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue and reflects Pakistan’s positive regional engagement.

The spokesperson concluded by reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing position on Pak-Afghan relations, emphasizing that Afghan Taliban authorities must take concrete action against terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil.