Talks with terror groups ruled out: Trade, transit only possible if Kabul takes ‘clear steps’: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Friday that normal trade and transit with Afghanistan are only possible if the Afghan Taliban regime takes clear steps against “anti-Pakistan elements” operating from its soil. Islamabad also ruled out talks with any terrorist group, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), targeting Pakistan’s civilians and security forces. At the weekly media briefing on Friday, the Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that the “value of human lives surpasses the value of any trade” with Afghanistan. He said that Pakistan is ready to receive any Pakistani living in Afghanistan and their families, provided they are handed over at the border crossings of Torkham or Chaman. He said that Pakistan will take up the involvement of Afghan national in the Islamabad suicide bombing with the Afghan Taliban regime. He said, “We will be taking all the necessary measures to protect our people.” He said that there is a “strong lobby (within the Afghan Taliban) with monetary support from foreign actors” that has been tasked to stoke “tensions” with Pakistan. Afghan nationals carried out two suicide bombings in Pakistan: interior minister He said that Pakistan took a very strong exception to the remarks by the spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs attempting to link President Trump’s comment on nuclear testing with allegations about Pakistan’s past nuclear record. He said that Pakistan’s nuclear program operates under a robust command and control structure, comprehensive export controls, and an impeccable record of compliance with the global non-proliferation regimes. “Allegations of clandestine or illegal nuclear activities are baseless, malicious, and part of India’s disinformation campaign aimed at diverting attention from its own irresponsible conduct,” he said. He said that Pakistan and the United States share multifaceted cooperation in strategic defense, economy, trade and commerce, and social sector. The effort of the governments is to enhance this all-encompassing cooperation across all domains. When asked about the recent blast in New Delhi, he said that India wrongly linked it to just struggle in Indian occupied Kashmir and Pakistan. India is, indeed, much obsessed with Pakistan on the issue and the bogey of terrorism which the Indian leadership uses to divert attention from its own internal challenges. Responding to a question about the purported meeting of adviser to Prime Minister with an Israeli official, the spokesperson said that he had not seen any report on this development. He; however, he said that it is not fair to link this (purported development) with the broader issue of Abraham Accords or the recognition of Israel. “Such linkage is too far-fetched, and I would request our distinguished media personnel to not venture into such speculation,” he said. He said that no decision has been taken as yet on Pakistan’s participation in International Stabilisation Force that is going to be deployed in Gaza. He rejected the assertions of spokesperson of Indian Ministry of External Affairs, linking Pakistan with terrorism. He said India is clearly habitual of such diversionary tactics aimed at concealing the subversive activities within the region and beyond. India’s track record of sponsoring terrorism and violence in Pakistan is well documented and internationally recognized. India’s extremist mindset funds regional instability promotes hatred and undermines peace across South Asia. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025