Indian statement on Balochistan attack confirms Pakistan’s view on New Delhi’s role: FO

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stressed on Thursday that the response of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), following the recent terrorist attack in Balochistan, effectively reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing stance on external involvement in destabilizing activities.

At a weekly briefing, FO spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the remarks by India also followed a recent terror attack in Balochistan, which Pakistan says underscores India’s role in promoting extremist activities in the region.

“And in light of the terrorist incident in Balochistan, India’s comments effectively confirm Pakistan’s position,” he said.

Also read: 34 died in Balochistan, KP anti-terror sweep

Andrabi also highlighted the 19th anniversary of the 2007 Samjhauta Express attack, which killed more than 70 people. He said the accused, including Swami Aseemanand, Indian Army officer Lt Col Purohit and former BJP legislator Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, had publicly admitted their involvement but remain at large.

“All four convicts involved in the Samjhauta Express attack are still free. India has failed to bring them to justice,” he said, describing India’s systemic acquittal of the perpetrators as evidence of state complicity in terrorism against Pakistan.

Andrabi further said that the current Indian regime has allowed Hindutva extremism and saffron terror, which motivated the attack nearly two decades ago, to intensify. He demanded a fair trial where all the perpetrators and supporters of the Samjhauta Express attack were held accountable, adding that the victims’ families deserve justice.

The spokesman also highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Qatar from 23-24. February at the invitation of the emir, who expressed a desire to strengthen economic ties. During the visit, the prime minister also met Qatar’s defense minister and foreign minister, he said.

He said the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of political engagement. They stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation across all areas of common interest, especially in trade, investment and economic cooperation.

The Qatari Amir reiterated the commitment to deepen the economic partnership with Pakistan to a higher strategic level. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments, emphasizing dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes.

Andrabi further said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from 26-28. February to attend an extraordinary ministerial session of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to be held in Jeddah today.

The emergency session has been convened to consider what Pakistan described as illegal decisions by Israeli occupation authorities to expand settlements, pursue annexation and impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank.

At the ministerial meeting, Dar will present Pakistan’s perspective on Israel’s measures to turn areas of the occupied West Bank into what it called “so-called state land.” On the sidelines of the session, he is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of OIC member countries.

The spokesman noted that Pakistan joined joint statements by OIC members and other countries strongly condemning recent Israeli actions that extend illegal control over the West Bank, describing such measures as violations of international law and threats to regional peace and stability.