Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahira Hussain Andrabi has reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to engage Afghanistan at the state level, while making clear that meaningful dialogue must be supported by concrete, verifiable action against terrorism by the Afghan interim authorities.
Speaking during the Foreign Office’s weekly media briefing, the spokesperson said Pakistan does not want to close the door to dialogue with Afghanistan. However, she emphasized that assurances and verbal claims alone are insufficient to address Pakistan’s serious security concerns.
The Afghan interim government, she said, must demonstrate through practical measures and credible evidence that effective action is being taken against terrorist elements operating from Afghan territory.
Pakistan continues to believe that bilateral disputes and security concerns should ultimately be addressed through diplomatic engagement. Islamabad remains prepared for state-level talks with Kabul and does not seek to permanently close the channel of communication.
At the same time, Pakistan has made clear that dialogue cannot become a substitute for action.
The central issue for Islamabad remains the threat posed by terrorist elements operating from or enjoying space on Afghan territory. Pakistan therefore expects the Afghan authorities to take tangible steps to prevent their territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan and to provide credible evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of those measures.
The Foreign Office emphasized that practical action and verifiable results not merely assurances are essential for rebuilding mutual confidence and creating an environment conducive to meaningful bilateral engagement.
Responding to remarks by India’s Chief of Defence Staff concerning the alleged attack on Karana Hills, the Foreign Office spokesperson categorically reaffirmed the security and protection of Pakistan’s strategic assets. She stated that Pakistan’s strategic assets are fully secure and that there can be no compromise whatsoever on their safety and security.
The spokesperson firmly rejected recent statements made by Indian officials, describing them as lacking credibility and dismissing what she characterized as “Bollywood-style statements” as having no substantive significance.
She also questioned the timing of such claims, asking why statements of this nature were being made 16 to 18 months after the alleged events. The Foreign Office made it unequivocally clear that Pakistan will take all necessary measures to protect its strategic assets and national security interests. Pakistan’s position remains that matters relating to its strategic capabilities are of the highest national-security importance and cannot be subjected to political rhetoric, speculation or unsubstantiated claims.
The spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan’s strategic assets remain fully protected and that the country will not compromise on measures required to ensure their security.
The Foreign Office’s position reflects a broader diplomatic approach in which Pakistan remains open to engagement while insisting that meaningful progress must be based on responsibility, credible action and verifiable commitments. With Afghanistan, Pakistan remains willing to pursue state-level dialogue, provided that Kabul demonstrates genuine commitment to addressing terrorism and preventing its territory from being used against Pakistan.
With regard to India, Islamabad has reaffirmed that provocative or unsubstantiated statements will not alter Pakistan’s determination to safeguard its strategic assets. Pakistan remains committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement, but its national security and the protection of its people and strategic assets remain non-negotiable.
