Says he can’t call many news or pieces of information ‘generally false or general misinformation’
Pakistan’s foreign ministry has denied any knowledge of reported talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Saudi Arabia, stating that Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan would remain closed until Kabul gave firm assurances that cross-border terrorist infiltration would be prevented.
Speaking at a weekly news briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Hassan Andrabi said: “I can check specific news and call it fake or otherwise. However, I cannot call many news or sets of information as a general fake or a general misinformation.”
The State Department’s remarks came in the backdrop of a Reuters report claiming that Pakistan and Afghanistan recently participated in a third round of peace talks in Saudi Arabia, jointly hosted by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Qatar. The report said no major breakthrough was achieved, although both sides agreed to maintain the ceasefire.
Andrabi said the case was not limited to TTP or TTA alone as several Afghan nationals had also been involved in serious crimes in Pakistan. He emphasized that the border closure must be seen in its proper security context.
Pakistan has no disagreement with the Afghan people and has always facilitated humanitarian corridors, but its border policy was directly linked to practical cooperation from Afghanistan to eliminate terrorism originating from its soil, the spokesman said.
He added that the border would reopen only when Afghanistan ensured that terrorists and their facilitators would not enter Pakistan.
Referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s earlier announcement of a high-level delegation visiting Islamabad, the spokesman said the change in schedule could be due to logistical problems or lack of cooperation from the Taliban. He said Pakistan had closed the border for its own protection and did not want its citizens to become victims of terrorism.
Responding to questions about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India and possible bilateral defense deals, Andrabi said Pakistan had no specific position on the matter as sovereign states were free to strengthen their ties independently.
However, he expressed concern over discriminatory policies targeting Muslims in India and said state patronage had encouraged extremist groups. He noted that the 33rd anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Mosque would be observed on Saturday, calling the event a continuing source of grief.
He stressed the need for transparent accountability for damage caused to Muslim religious symbols and heritage, saying desecration of any holy site violated the principles of religious equality.
Andrabi also highlighted the recent visit of the Kyrgyz President to Pakistan, where delegation-level meetings were held with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Both countries agreed to strengthen bilateral ties and increase trade to $200 million by 2027-28.
The FO spokesman said 15 MoUs were signed during the visit and the Kyrgyz president addressed a business forum attended by more than 20 Kyrgyz companies and over 80 Pakistani businessmen.
He added that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had also met the Kyrgyz leadership and also received the Egyptian Foreign Minister during his visit to Islamabad where Dar inaugurated the Islamabad Conclave.
