India urged to end suppression in IIOJK, desist from supporting terrorist activities
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has assured Pakistan of resolving ‘all issues’, including terrorist threats from Afghan soil, said the Foreign Office on Thursday.
Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, responding to a question during a year-end briefing in Islamabad, said Pakistan has been engaging with Afghan authorities on all matters, including the situation on the borders and security of diplomats and missions and the terrorist threat Pakistan faces from militant groups operating from Afghan soil.
She said Pakistan has a natural stake in peace and stability in Afghanistan and would like to continue to engage and find solutions to all matters of concern.
Zahra said: “Pakistan has consistently expressed its desire to see a peaceful, prosperous, stable, and connected Afghanistan. We wish that Afghanistan emerges as a trade and energy-connectivity conduit to our region.” s
During the briefing, the spokesperson maintained that bilateral relations with India could not fully normalise until the resolution of the outstanding disputes, especially the core issue of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
“A Hindutva-inspired nationalist government in India continues to act as a regional bully and create hurdles in the development of normal bilateral relations,” she said, adding that suppression of minorities and the people of the IIOJK is a matter of great concern for Pakistan.
Baloch affirmed that Pakistan will continue to make all possible efforts for the settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
“Islamabad wants India to end its suppression in IIOJK and desist from supporting terrorist activities inside Pakistan,” she said.
“Pakistan is interested in peace and dialogue and it is up to the Indian authorities to take a responsible position to improve relations.”
