The Foreign Office’s spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan has said that cross-border terrorism derived from Afghanistan remains at the top of the agenda in all interactions with the Kabul administration.
He also revealed that eight Pakistani citizens, including Asif merchant and Muhammad Pehlwan, are currently detained in the United States on various criminal charges.
The Fo spokesman concerned the weekly media briefing on Friday and said that Pakistan’s security forces are continuing to act against terrorist groups operating within the country’s borders to protect its citizens.
“Cross -border terrorism from Afghanistan is a key issue we consistently raise with the Afghan authorities. Protection of our state and citizens is Pakistan’s prominent responsibility,” he said.
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Khan emphasized that Pakistan believes that Afghanistan should regain full control over its security and territorial integrity.
“Afghanistan should take crucial actions against terrorist groups operating within its territory, especially against the group known as Fitna Al-Khawarij,” the spokesman added.
He said the schedule of the Afghan Foreign Minister’s visit to Pakistan has not yet been completed, but both sides are working on the details.
To a question about the Nobel Peace Prize, the Fo-spokesman said Pakistan made a decision to nominate Trump based on his important and positive role in the peeling of tensions between Pakistan and India in May, which led to the ceasefire.
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In response to a question, Khan confirmed that eight Pakistani citizens, including Asif merchant and Muhammad Pehlwan, are currently in the United States’ custody of various criminal charges.
“Muhammad Pehlwan has been indicted by US authorities due to terror -related charges, but has not yet been convicted. Once the criminal conviction is completed, he will earn his remaining period in Pakistan. His travel documents are prepared,” the spokesman said.
Pehlwan was charged with transporting weapons to the Houthis in Yemen from Iran. He was among four suspects detained on January 11, 2024 in an operation performed by the US Navy Seals off the coast of Somalia in the Arabian Sea.
He added that Asif Merchants case is also undergoing the processing of an American court.
Dealer was allegedly indicted in the United States in connection with a foil murder attempt against US President Donald Trump.
According to a criminal complaint, the 46-year-old tried to recruit individuals in the United States to perform the plot. The trial was reportedly in return for the US killing of Iran’s revolutionary guards’ supreme commander, Qasem Soleimani, in 2020.
Merchant, as prosecutors claim, spent time in Iran before traveling to the United States, was indicted for killing for rent in the federal court in Brooklyn, New York. A federal judge ordered detention on July 16, according to legal registries.
