The Foreign Office of Pakistan has confirmed that talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban are currently underway in Istanbul, urging the public to disregard any unofficial statements circulating on social media. Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, while addressing the weekly press briefing, said that Pakistan maintains a clear and consistent stance that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan. He said Pakistan has provided mediators with evidence-based demands, and the mediators are engaging with the Afghan Taliban on each point raised by Islamabad.
“The mediators are discussing our concerns point by point with the Afghan Taliban and have expressed complete support for Pakistan’s position,” Andrabi stated. The spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region, emphasizing that terrorism emanating from Afghan territory is unacceptable under any circumstances.
He also reiterated that Pakistan would not tolerate any violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, describing water as a matter of survival for Pakistan. Andrabi said Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s violations of the Gaza ceasefire, stressing that the Gaza peace plan is a step towards lasting stability in the region. “We call for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Palestinian territories,” he added.
Commenting on the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the spokesperson said the people of the occupied valley continue to face Indian state-sponsored terrorism. He informed that President Asif Ali Zardari delivered a key address at the Doha Conference, where he presented Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir issue and held meetings with several global leaders and heads of state.
Andrabi further stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is currently visiting Azerbaijan to participate in the fifth anniversary celebrations of the country’s Victory Day in Baku. He also mentioned that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar visited Istanbul on November 3 to discuss various bilateral and regional matters, while the ongoing Pakistan-Afghan Taliban talks continue in the Turkish city.
