Saudi Arabia on Sunday welcomed the announcement of an immediate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Source: x.com/arabnews
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan acknowledged on Friday that there has been no major terrorist attack originating from Afghan soil since the Doha ceasefire agreement, calling the development a “positive result” as talks between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban regime move to Istanbul for the next round.
Newly appointed foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi, speaking at his first weekly media briefing, said the ceasefire agreed in Doha earlier this week had “largely held”.
“There has been no major full-scale terrorist attack originating from Afghan soil in Pakistan in the last two-three days,” Andrabi noted. “So in reality the Doha negotiations and their outcome were fruitful. We would like to see the trend continue in Istanbul and beyond.”
The spokesman said that Pakistan’s main expectation from the Afghan side remains unchanged that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan.
Andrabi reiterated that Islamabad was approaching the process with “sincere intent and intent,” stressing that the purpose of the talks was to establish a “verifiable and empirical mechanism” to ensure that the Taliban regime in Kabul takes concrete steps against terrorist groups targeting Pakistan.
He confirmed that the Doha agreement was the result of delegation-level talks led by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, focusing on stopping cross-border terrorism and restoring peace along the border. The next meeting, held by Türkiye in Istanbul on October 25, will seek to finalize the proposed monitoring framework.
Responding to questions about recent statements by Afghan officials disputing the existence of a formal agreement, Andrabi said Pakistan did not attach importance to the terminology.
“We are not reading too much into the nomenclature attributed by the Taliban – whether it is an agreement, a ceasefire or a treaty. The fact is that a substantive document was finalized, which is commendable,” he said.
He added that Pakistan continues to take Afghan threats and cross-border attacks seriously, stressing that Islamabad’s security and the lives of its citizens take precedence over trade facilitation.
“At the border points connected to Afghan transit trade, armed attacks against Pakistan were carried out, killing Pakistanis,” Andrabi said. “For us, the lives of Pakistanis are more important than any traded commodity.”
While not confirming who would lead Pakistan’s delegation at the Istanbul talks, Andrabi said “a representative Pakistani delegation” would attend the meeting.
The spokesman also responded to questions about the Taliban’s plan to build a dam on the Kunar River, saying Pakistan was investigating the matter.
“Transboundary rivers are governed by international law,” he said. “In such matters, Pakistan is both an upper and a lower river and we will follow this case accordingly.”
Andrabi confirmed Islamabad’s approach to Kabul and said Pakistan still seeks peace and stability in Afghanistan.
“Our message to the Taliban regime in Kabul is clear – stop these attacks, control and apprehend the terrorists from the TTP and other armed groups and our relationship can be back on track. We are not asking for the moon; we are asking them to honor their own commitments,” he said.
