Pakistan will not interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs;FO

ISLAMABAD-(Mudassar Iqbal/Web Desk)- Pakistan said on Thursday that its diplomatic channels with Afghanistan remain open, despite heightened tensions over cross-border security incidents.

At a weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Islamabad does not interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs but remains deeply concerned about terrorist attacks originating from Afghan territory. He reiterated Pakistan’s position that Kabul must take verifiable steps to dismantle militant networks and prevent its soil from being used for terrorism against neighbouring countries.

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Reiterated its longstanding position on Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions guaranteeing the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.

During a weekly media briefing, the Foreign Office spokesperson said India’s actions since August 2019 have further complicated the situation by altering the demographic and political status of the disputed territory. Pakistan, he added, will continue raising the issue at international forums.

The briefing also covered Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s recent engagements, including co-chairing the 7th Pakistan–China Strategic Dialogue in Beijing, where both sides reaffirmed support for each other’s core interests and agreed to advance CPEC Phase II.

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Pakistan also reviewed regional developments involving Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa, reiterating opposition to unilateral actions, foreign interference, and terrorism, while supporting dialogue and diplomacy for regional stability.

Relations between the two countries have remained strained since October 2025, when Pakistan closed several major border crossings following a deadly military escalation. Although a ceasefire was announced on October 19, cross-border trade has yet to resume.

Highlighting steps required to address these concerns, Andrabi said: “We need written, verifiable, and concrete assurances from Afghan authorities. Without these written commitments, the issue of terrorism cannot be resolved.”

The spokesperson added that resolving terrorism would pave the way for a significant improvement in bilateral relations. “Pakistan and Afghanistan do not have any other major bilateral disputes,” he added.

On Afghanistan’s broader regional role, the spokesperson said that “Afghanistan has significant potential to become a regional hub”.

“Written assurances and practical steps to end terrorism will bring improvement in border and bilateral matters. Ensuring an end to terrorism is also in Afghanistan’s own interest,” the FO spokesperson added.

While commenting on Pakistan’s stance regarding ongoing protests in Iran, the spokesperson said: “Pakistan does not comment on the internal situation in Iran, nor does it consider intervention appropriate. We strongly oppose any interference in the internal matters of any country, including Iran.”

Addressing the hostilities with Afghanistan two days ago, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that the Afghan Taliban regime had attacked Pakistani border posts, following which, “whatever was needed was done, and a hard message was given”.

“Afghanistan has become the centre of terrorist operations in the region,” he said while explaining the factors behind terrorism. The ISPR chief said that the Afghan Taliban regime has found a “new hero” in the form of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said that the nexus between Fitna Al-Khawarij, TTP, and India became fully exposed in 2025, posing a serious threat to regional peace and security. He said that if Afghanistan and India wish to confront Pakistan, they are welcome to do so, adding that, “We will fulfil their desire.”

Reiterating the resolve to curb the menace of terrorism, he said: “We have to win the war against terrorism at all costs”. “We have to win this war with strength.” “In the last three months, we have closed the borders. There are many signs here for those who see and understand.”

Noting that Islamabad targeted terrorists at the Afghan border in October 2025, and “dozens of Afghan posts were eliminated within hours”. “We targeted the TTP, not TTA,” said Lt Gen Chaudhry.

Recalling the Doha agreement, the 2020 US-Taliban peace deal, he recalled that the Afghan Taliban had assured that terrorism would be eradicated from the Afghan soil. However, he lamented, the neighbouring country remains a stronghold of Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan