ISLAMABAD:

After days of speculation suggesting that Pakistan might have captured or is planning to capture the strategically important Wakhan corridor, Pakistan on Thursday finally broke its silence and denied all such reports.

“The Wakhan Corridor, what I can say is that I have seen this endless speculation. Wakhan is part of Afghan territory. Afghanistan is a neighbor of Pakistan. We recognize its sovereignty and territorial integrity. There is no question of Pakistan has designs on one of its neighbors, the question does not arise, Foreign Ministry spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters at his weekly news briefing.

He was responding to questions about the reports that have been doing the rounds that, in view of the ongoing tensions with Afghanistan, Pakistan was planning to capture the Wakhan Corridor.

Located in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan, the Wakhan Corridor is a narrow strip that connects China and Afghanistan on one side and Pakistan and Tajikistan on the other.

It was part of the historic Silk Route. However, the high-altitude corridor remained closed for over a century due to inhospitable weather, lack of infrastructure and safety concerns.

Since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in August 2021, the interim government has been talking to China to revive the old route. However, China has not said a word or indicated whether it plans to open the border.

China’s approach is cautious, as it is concerned that opening the route could trigger smuggling and the movement of militants who want to stir up unrest in Xingjian, which lies on the other side of the Wakhan corridor.

He also dismissed reports that the recent visit of DG ISI to Tajikistan was part of Pakistan’s efforts to destabilize Afghanistan.

“Tajikistan is a very close friend and partner of Pakistan. We have long-standing relations with Tajikistan and exchange of visits and consultations across governments is a normal feature of this relationship. And any speculation about Pakistan and Tajikistan working to destabilize or something I would reject And our relationship, as with all friendly countries, is based on the principles of the UN Charter,” the spokesman stressed.

“Afghanistan is a neighbor of Pakistan. We have long-standing relations. It is an important neighbor. And both countries understand the importance of this equation and the importance of good relations between two neighbors. And we wish Afghanistan the best and we want to nurture and develop strong, vibrant relationships, as should be between two neighbours,” he added.

The spokesman said that one of the main problems right now was the sanctuaries that the terrorist group TTP enjoys on Afghan soil. “The two sides are in contact about this situation. The embassies in the two countries are working on the finer details of the diplomatic contacts. We have a Charge d’ Affaires in Kabul, and a senior Afghan diplomat also heads their embassy here.”

“Diplomatic contacts are ongoing and, just like between neighboring countries, there are several layers of engagement that are ongoing, often not reported in the media. But this remains an important relationship and we continue to work to improve and maintain and stabilize this vital relationship,” he continued.

In a recent meeting between the Afghan foreign minister and the Indian foreign minister, the spokesman said that Afghanistan is a sovereign country. “We have never aspired, nor have we tried, nor do we intend to aspire to have a veto on what kind of relations it wants to have with other countries. That is their sovereign right, that kind of relationship , it wants to develop with other countries “.

“And as I have mentioned earlier, Afghanistan is an important neighbor of Pakistan. We have long historical relations; we will continue to work to bring the relationship to its full potential as it should be between the two neighbors. Terrorism sanctuaries, as Terrorists remains a key issue between the two countries, we will continue to speak to the Afghan authorities that they need to address this genuine concern from Pakistan,” he maintained.

The spokesman also supported a US official’s statement that Pakistan was not part of any treaty alliance with the US. “What I can say at this point is that it is a fact that Pakistan is not part of any treaty alliance with the US. It is also a fact that Pakistan has been designated as a major non-NATO ally since 2004.”

“But it is also a fact that Pakistan’s contribution to maintaining peace and security in the region and fighting terrorism is far too great to be encapsulated in technical and legal labels. That is what I can say,” he added.

To another question, the spokesman said that Pakistan’s ambassador to the US will represent the country at the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20.