Pakistan on Friday strongly rejected the remarks of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who termed terrorism an internal matter of Pakistan, calling his statement misleading, unfounded, and contrary to facts. The Foreign Office said Pakistan has repeatedly provided irrefutable evidence exposing the nexus between Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan, both actively involved in cross-border terrorism against Pakistan.
In a strongly worded statement, the Foreign Office expressed serious concern over continued provocations from the Afghan Taliban, Fitna al-Khawarij, and Fitna al-Hindustan. It emphasized that Pakistan exercised its inherent right to self-defence and that its recent defensive strikes were never directed against the Afghan people but solely against terrorist networks threatening regional peace and security.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan had agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire at the request of the Afghan Taliban, reaffirming Islamabad’s belief in dialogue and peaceful engagement. “Pakistan categorically rejects the remarks made by Amir Khan Muttaqi during his visit to India,” he said. “Our country has, on multiple occasions, furnished undeniable evidence of Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan, proving their involvement in acts of terrorism against Pakistan,” he added.
Khan said Pakistan has hosted nearly four million Afghan citizens for decades, reflecting its enduring goodwill and support for the Afghan people. “We expect the interim Afghan authorities to take decisive action against terrorist groups operating from their territory. Pakistan’s measures concerning Afghan nationals are being taken strictly in accordance with national laws,” he stated.
He said Pakistan categorically rejected the joint communiqué issued during the Taliban Foreign Minister’s visit to India, which portrayed Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as part of India. “Endorsing such a statement is a denial of the inalienable rights and legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” he said.
The spokesperson added that Pakistan hopes the Afghan people will one day be governed by their true representatives through a legitimate and inclusive process. He said the Foreign Secretary had briefed foreign envoys in Islamabad on the evolving situation following recent acts of aggression by the Afghan Taliban.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s firm commitment to regional peace and stability, the Foreign Office stated that Pakistan would continue to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity while maintaining its resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
