FO says Kabul must provide guarantees, rejects India’s demands and JF-17 deal reports
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan will remain part of the trilateral mechanism involving Pakistan, China and Afghanistan, saying the forum reflects Islamabad’s positive engagement, but it will maintain its long-standing position on bilateral relations with Kabul, including calls for action against terrorist groups.
Speaking at the Foreign Ministry’s weekly press briefing on Thursday, Spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi said it was agreed during the Pakistan-China dialogue to maintain the trilateral mechanism. He said that Pakistan is not seeking a hostile relationship with Afghanistan but expects concrete steps from the Taliban administration.
🔴LIVE: Spokesperson’s weekly press briefing 08-01-2026 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) 8 January 2026
“Pakistan expects verifiable written guarantees that Afghan territory or citizens will not be used for terrorism abroad,” Andrabi said. “These guarantees will also serve Afghanistan’s own interests.”
Pakistan has repeatedly said that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders and fighters enjoy safe havens inside Afghanistan and operate with impunity under the Taliban’s watch. However, the Afghan Taliban accuses Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty through occasional airstrikes on TTP positions and of exerting political and military pressure.
Pakistan’s frustration has grown over the years. Islamabad invested diplomatic and political capital to facilitate the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, expecting improved border security and a reduction in anti-Pakistan militancy. Instead, Pakistan has seen an increase in TTP attacks, worsening security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and what it describes as a defiant Taliban government unwilling to address its concerns.
Responding to reports that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to convert about $2 billion in Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal, Andrabi said the State Department was not aware of such a deal. He said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share broad defense ties and any development will be communicated at the appropriate time.
Read: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss $2bn loan conversion for the JF-17 fighter jet agreement
On relations with India, the spokesman dismissed recent remarks by the Indian foreign minister as “baseless”. He accused India of supporting terrorism at regional and international levels and said allegations against Pakistan could not hide India’s “anti-peace actions.” Andrabi also criticized the demolition of the Fateh Elahi Mosque and related properties in Delhi, calling it part of an anti-Muslim campaign that he said began with the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 and the subsequent construction of a temple.
Regarding regional developments, Andrabi said Pakistan opposes any foreign interference in Iran’s internal affairs. He was responding to reports of ongoing protests in Iran over inflation and economic difficulties.
The demonstrations, now in their 11th consecutive day, have turned violent in recent days. Iranian media reported that two security personnel were killed and at least 30 others wounded, while the total death toll from clashes nationwide has reached 35. Protesters have reportedly thrown stones at police and in some cases opened fire on security forces.
In Somaliland, Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s opposition to the recognition of the self-declared state, saying it threatens Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity.
Israel became the first country to formally recognize the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland on 26 December. On December 28, foreign ministers from more than 20 Muslim-majority countries issued a joint statement rejecting Israel’s move. The statement, released by Pakistan’s foreign ministry, said the recognition violates international law and the UN Charter, which upholds the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
