Islamabad (Web Desk): The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday categorically stated that Islamabad has no plans to engage in any talks with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
At her weekly news briefing in Islamabad today, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch She said the presence of terror groups including the TTP in Afghanistan is confirmed by multiple international reports including the United Nations (UN).
“We expect the Afghan authorities to take robust action against these terror groups and prevent their activities that endanger Pakistan's security,” she said.
During the briefing, the FO spokesperson confirmed that invitations have been extended to all heads of government of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the forthcoming meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of SCO scheduled to take place in Islamabad on October 15 to 16.
Responding to a question, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan does not have trade relations with India.
She said Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory. She said the United Nations Security Council resolutions clearly state that the final disposition of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute shall be made in accordance with the will of the people through a UN supervised plebiscite.
In this backdrop, she said that any other process cannot serve as a substitute to the grant of the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people.
Expressing grave concerns over the recent large-scale military incursion by Israeli forces in the northern part of the Occupied West Bank, the FO spokesperson stated that this attack is another blatant violation of international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention, which prohibits indiscriminate targeting of civilians.
She reiterated Pakistan’s call for the UN Security Council (UNSC) to take immediate measures to stop the genocide of Palestinian people, end Israel’s blatant violations of international laws and the UN Charter, and hold it accountable for war crimes.
When asked about China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the FO Spokesperson said it is a transformational project that has contributed positively and transparently to Pakistan's national development. She said the corridor project enjoys support and popularity in all provinces and across the political divide in Pakistan.
Mumtaz Baloch clarified that Pakistan's total public debt relating to CPEC projects is a small percentage of its total debt.
“The public debt obtained from China has longer maturity periods with low interest rates,” She added.
The FO spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to provide full security to all Chinese nationals, projects and institutions.