On Thursday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) announced that there are no plans to engage in talks with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
At her weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized that the terrorist group is responsible for the deaths of both Pakistani and foreign citizens within the country.
She affirmed Pakistan’s respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “We expect the Afghan authorities to uphold their sovereignty and take action against terrorist groups that have found sanctuaries inside Afghanistan and are using their territory for terrorist attacks against Pakistan,” Baloch stated.
In response to a question, the spokesperson confirmed Pakistan’s commitment to implementing the illegal foreigners repatriation plan.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch noted that the first phase of the plan is nearing completion, with illegal foreigners, including Afghans, being repatriated to their home countries. She also clarified that Pakistan has not given any assurances to the UNHCR for suspending the plan, adding that the government has approved a one-year extension of the validity of Proof of Registration cards for Afghan refugees.
Regarding Pakistan’s relationship with the United States, Baloch described it as multifaceted and robust, stating that Pakistan believes this relationship should progress based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.
In December 2023, Pakistan firmly rejected reports and speculations of talks with the TTP.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated, “There is absolutely no dialogue taking place with TTP.”
She also noted the statement from the interim Afghan government promising to investigate a recent terror attack in Dera Ismail Khan. Baloch urged Afghanistan to take strong action against the perpetrators of this attack and to hand over the TTP leadership in Afghanistan to Pakistan.