ISLAMABAD: During the weekly briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stressed that Afghanistan holds importance in Pakistan’s foreign policy, and that peace and stability there is a ‘priority’.
“We want to ensure Afghanistan’s territory is not used by terrorists,” she said.
The statement comes in following airstrikes conducted by Pakistan in Afghanistan on what are being dubbed as ‘hideouts’ and the camps of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The strikes were carried out in eastern Afghanistan, which resulted in elimination of several suspected terrorists.
Spokesperson FO also said that the country is pursuing a policy of strong relations with the international community, and the year 2024 has been important for Pakistan because several high-level delegations visits were held in various countries.
Also read: Military courts’ verdicts under Pakistani law: FO
“Pakistan follows a policy based on mutual respect, dignity, and interests. We are giving new direction to cooperation with friendly countries and partners,” she stated.
Mumtaz Baloch also said that the country is striving to increase economic cooperation and investment, and is committed to cooperating with our partners on important regional and global issues: “The lifting of EU restrictions on PIA flights is an important development, and both Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) are important organisations for Pakistan’s regional cooperation.”
In response to the international criticism on recent verdicts by military courts, the FO on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fulfilling all its international human rights obligations, saying that the verdicts had been made under a law enacted by the Parliament of Pakistan and in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It was added that the country’s legal system had remedies of judicial review by the superior courts and guaranteed the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Earlier this week Mumtaz Baloch also said that the alleged threat perception from Pakistan’s missile capabilities and delivery means, raised by the US official were unfortunate, and that the allegations were unfounded, devoid of rationality and sense of history.