ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Friday that the Afghan Taliban refused to endorse a joint statement at the recently held Moscow Format meeting because Islamabad reiterated concerns about terrorism originating from Afghan soil, adding that the absence of an agreed communique would not change realities in the region.
During a weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan had presented its position on terrorism at the eighth Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, held in Moscow on October 5, and that the points raised by Islamabad had also appeared in previous joint statements issued by the regional forum.
“The absence of a joint statement cannot change the realities of the region,” the spokesperson said.
The meeting ended without a joint statement after Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban delegation failed to agree on the wording of the final document.
Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said the disagreement centred on references to Afghanistan in the context of terrorism. He noted that similar language had appeared in the previous year’s statement, but the Afghan side considered the situation in bilateral relations to have changed.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of allowing the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups to operate from Afghan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
Kabul rejects the allegations and criticises Pakistani operations inside Afghanistan.
At the Moscow meeting, Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq said that terrorism remained at the core of Afghanistan’s problems, alleging that terrorist groups operated from Afghan soil and posed a serious threat to Pakistan and regional security. He said more than 4,700 Pakistanis had been killed in attacks originating from Afghanistan over the preceding three years, according to his address to the forum.
The Moscow Format brings together Afghanistan and regional countries, including Pakistan, Russia, China, Iran, India and Central Asian states, to discuss Afghanistan’s political situation, security and regional cooperation.
Pakistan says direct US-Iran contacts result of mediation
The Foreign Office spokesperson also said discussions between the United States and Iran were continuing on seven points, adding that Washington had shared its position on Tehran’s proposals.
He said direct contacts between the two sides were the result of Pakistan’s mediation efforts, while Islamabad and other important countries continued to play a role in efforts to resolve the conflict.
“The United States has also shared its position on Iran’s seven points,” the spokesperson said, according to the briefing.
He said that an Islamabad memorandum of understanding already existed and that some of the points currently under discussion were consistent with it.
Pakistan wanted Washington and Tehran to maintain direct engagement, reduce tensions and resolve their differences through negotiations, he added.
The spokesperson said Pakistan remained ready to resume its mediation efforts if required, reiterating Islamabad’s preference for a negotiated settlement rather than further escalation.
Pakistan criticises restrictions on Pakistani media in India
The Foreign Office spokesperson also criticised what it described as restrictions on freedom of expression in India, saying social media posts showing Indian soldiers alive had been blocked by Indian authorities.
The spokesperson said that thousands of Pakistani websites and social media platforms were blocked in India and that Pakistani television channels were also unavailable there.
He added that websites and social media posts belonging to Pakistani artists and singers, including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, had also been blocked.
The spokesperson said the restrictions reflected shrinking space for freedom of expression and the presentation of differing viewpoints in India.
Islamabad reiterates commitment to international sanctions
Responding to a question about trade through alleged illegal transit routes, the spokesperson said he did not have specific details about the routes in question.
He reiterated that Pakistan would continue to comply with international sanctions regimes and applicable trade restrictions.
“Pakistan will continue to abide by the international sanctions regime,” he said.
Pakistan stands with Saudi Arabia under Makkah defence pact
Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan stood with Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, with the pact’s strategic, political and defence committee reaffirming collective security commitments amid regional tensions.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, describing the October 2 attack on the Taibah power distribution station as a serious provocation.
The spokesperson said the sanctity of the two holy mosques must be protected under all circumstances.
He said the committee of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement had held an emergency meeting attended by the deputy prime minister, defence minister and field marshal to review the regional situation under the pact.
The committee decided to take practical measures for defence and reaffirmed its commitment to collective security, he added.
“The security of member states of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is an integral part of each other’s security,” the spokesperson said.
Pakistan reiterates support for Gaza peace efforts
The spokesperson said Pakistan had joined the Board of Peace to help end the conflict in Gaza and support a credible political process.
He said Pakistan called for full implementation of the Gaza peace plan and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735.
He reiterated that the Palestinian people should have an independent and sovereign state based on pre-1967 borders.
The spokesperson also said the UN secretary-general had reaffirmed his commitment to close coordination with Pakistan.
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