ISLAMABAD: In response to an offer of mediation by Afghanistan’s Taliban government, Pakistan has firmly reiterated its rejection of holding peace talks with Afghanistan-based Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group.
Speaking at her weekly press briefing here in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that Pakistan was not engaged in any talks at any level with the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
The statement from Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch comes days after Taliban Information Minister Zabihullah Mujahid offered to mediate between the TTP and Pakistan due to escalating tensions, particularly after the former terminated a ceasefire last year.
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“If Pakistan wants us to mediate, and we know that it is beneficial, we will undoubtedly mediate as it benefits the region and we don’t want war in the region,” Tolo News quoted Mujahid as saying.
The Afghan minister had also denied the presence of TTP in Afghanistan and reiterated that the Islamic Emirate is committed to preventing the use of Afghan soil as a launchpad for attacks on other nations.
At a press briefing, the FO spokesperson referred to a previous statement made by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, emphasising the clarity of the minister’s position on this matter.
“The rejection aligns with the earlier stance expressed by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari”, she added.
Ms Baloch said talks could not be held with the outlawed TTP, which has been involved in the killing of Pakistani civilians and law enforcement officials.
‘Pakistan constantly in touch with Greece on boat capsizing incident’
At her weekly press briefing, the Foreign Office spokesperson informed Pakistan is constantly in touch with the Greece authorities on boat capsizing incident and investigations are going on regarding the circumstances that led to the incident.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Ambassador Aamar Aftab and his team at our Mission in Greece have worked round the clock for recovery and identification of Pakistani nationals who are missing or feared dead and for providing relief to the survivors.
The Spokesperson said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also spoken to his Greek counterpart to discuss arrangements for the recovery of the missing, identification of the bodies and providing relief to the survivors and our efforts will continue in this regard.
The spokesperson confirmed that among the 104 survivors, 12 were Pakistani nationals who were in good physical condition. While the Greek authorities have recovered 84 bodies, the spokesperson noted that the number and identification of Pakistani nationals among the deceased and missing remains unconfirmed.
Efforts are underway to collect DNA samples from families of suspected individuals who were on board, and Pakistan’s ambassador in Greece, Aamar Aftab, and his team are actively engaged in recovery and identification efforts.
‘World Refugee Day a reminder of the suffering of Kashmiris’
Turning to prevailing situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, she said the international community commemorated the World Refugee Day this week which is a reminder of the suffering of Kashmiris, who have been evicted from their land and forced to live in exile.
She said the Kashmiris were forced to flee violence, persecution and gross human rights abuses. Thousands of people of Jammu and Kashmir are spending a homeless life and are unable to return to their homeland. India must bring an end to the climate of fear and persecution in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and bring peace in the lives of the Kashmiri people.
Ms Baloch reiterated that Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
FM Bilawal visit to Japan from July 2
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Japan on July 2-3 upon the invitation of Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral trade and investment, and cooperation in various sectors including science and technology, education, information technology, culture, and human resource development.
Discussions will also cover regional and global developments, as well as cooperation in multilateral forums.
Pakistan-Kazakh second round of Bilateral Political Consultations
Furthermore, Pakistan and Kazakhstan will hold the second round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Astana, Kazakhstan on June 26. The consultations, led by Additional Foreign Secretary (Afghanistan & West Asia) Ambassador Syed Ahsan Raza Shah from the Pakistani delegation and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Kanat Tumyst from the Kazakh side, will encompass a comprehensive review of bilateral relations in political, trade, economic, connectivity, science and technology, and cultural and people-to-people aspects.
