Pakistan issues demarche to Afghan Taliban regime over North Waziristan attack 

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan on Friday denounced in the strongest terms a deadly attack on a military camp in North Waziristan District, carried out by Khwarij militants linked to the Kharji Gul Bahadur Group, which led to the martyrdom of four Pakistani soldiers

In a statement, the Foreign Office (FO) said the Afghan Deputy Head of Mission was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally lodge Pakistan’s protest. The spokesperson stated, “To convey our strong demarche, the Afghan Deputy Head of Mission was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

During the meeting, the Ministry expressed Pakistan’s serious alarm over what it described as the ongoing support and facilitation by the Afghan Taliban authorities to the FAK/TTP, allowing them to orchestrate terrorist attacks against Pakistan’s armed forces and civilian population along the Pak-Afghan border and surrounding areas.

The spokesperson said it was clearly conveyed that the operational space and freedom available to the FAK/TTP inside Afghanistan contradict the commitments made by Kabul at the international level as well as its assurances to Pakistan.

He said, “It was emphasized that the permissive environment enjoyed by the FAK/TTP in Afghanistan belies Afghanistan’s international commitments as well as to Pakistan, that it would not allow its soil to be used against any other country, including Pakistan.”

Pakistan, he added, has sought a comprehensive probe into the incident and called for firm action against all those involved.

“Pakistan has demanded a full investigation and decisive action against the perpetrators and facilitators of the terrorist attacks launched against Pakistan from Afghan soil,” he said, adding “The Afghan Taliban regime has been urged to take immediate, concrete and verifiable measures against all terror groups operating from its territory, including their leadership, and deny the continued use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan.”

The spokesperson further said that Pakistan has conveyed its position in unambiguous terms, warning that it will not compromise on the safety of its people.

“The Afghan Taliban regime has also been categorically informed that Pakistan reserves the right to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens, and will take all necessary measures to respond to terrorism originating from Afghan soil,” the FO statement said.