Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi has said that Pakistan hopes that the next round of talks with the Afghan Taliban on November 6 will result in a positive outcome.
During the weekly press briefing on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that ‘Pakistan will continue its role in the reconciliation process and hopes for positive outcomes from the November 6 talks’.
He reminded that the second round of talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government concluded in Istanbul on Thursday evening in the presence of mediators.
According to the spokesperson, ‘Pakistan participated in the Istanbul talks that began on October 25 with good will and positive intentions’.
He said that the talks were initially scheduled for two days, but in a serious attempt to reach an agreement with the Taliban government by mutual consent, Pakistan continued the talks for four days.
The spokesperson said that ‘Pakistan held positive talks with the Taliban government, but did not compromise on its clear position that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.’
He stressed that ‘Pakistan does not want any further tension, but expects the Taliban government to uphold its promises to the international community and take concrete and verifiable steps against terrorist organizations, including Fitnatul Khawarij and Fitnatul Hindustan, to address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns.’
Tahir Andrabi said that for the past four years, Pakistan has been demanding that the Afghan Taliban take decisive and effective action against terrorist organizations present on its soil.
He said, “We have repeatedly provided the Taliban government with verifiable information about the presence of the top leadership of Fitnat al-Kharij and Fitnat al-Hindustan in Afghanistan. However, despite repeated assurances in the past, terrorist attacks from Afghanistan into Pakistan have increased.”
Tahir Andrabi said that in October, unprovoked attacks were carried out on Pakistani areas from Afghan soil, and Pakistan responded forcefully to the provocations in the border areas.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi clarified that Pakistan desires peace but will take every measure to protect its sovereignty and people. Pakistan hopes for a positive outcome in the November 6 talks. He appreciated the constructive role of Qatar and Turkey.
