On Thursday, Pakistan urged Amnesty International along with the global community to intensify scrutiny of the Afghan Taliban regime’s ongoing support for terrorist organizations. This appeal followed Amnesty International’s recent call for an inquiry into Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul that took place four months ago.
During his weekly briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi firmly dismissed the report issued by the London-based human rights NGO, describing the allegations as unfortunate and lacking credible evidence. He emphasized that the Taliban government continues to provide a permissive environment for various terrorist groups, including the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army, and their affiliates.
Andrabi highlighted that no responsible nation can remain indifferent when its civilians and security personnel are repeatedly targeted. He clarified that Pakistan’s military operations were conducted strictly as acts of self-defense, adhering to the principles of necessity and last resort, targeting only terrorists and their logistical bases within Afghanistan.
Notably, Pakistan is currently confronting a renewed surge in terrorism, which it attributes to sponsorship and safe havens provided by India through Afghan territory. In response to another query, the spokesperson reaffirmed Islamabad’s stance that any hostile actions against Pakistani-flagged vessels or maritime interests in the Red Sea would be considered a serious threat to national security.
Andrabi strongly condemned ongoing threats by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea, warning that such actions jeopardize regional stability, freedom of navigation, and global trade. He stated, “Any attack on Pakistani-flagged or commercial vessels will be treated as an attack on Pakistan itself and will be met with swift retaliation in self-defense.”
Regarding the broader Middle East and Gulf situation, the spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s call for all parties to exercise restraint and emphasized the country’s continued diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and peaceful resolution.
Addressing Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia, Andrabi confirmed the nation’s commitment to honoring all bilateral agreements, including those related to mutual defense cooperation.
On the European Union’s fifth Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) report, Andrabi noted that it represents the final monitoring assessment under the current GSP Plus framework, evaluating Pakistan’s adherence to 27 international conventions. He welcomed the report’s recognition of Pakistan’s legislative advancements and ongoing compliance during the review period.
He further stressed that the GSP Plus status remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s economic ties with the European Union, fostering exports, employment, women’s participation in the economy, poverty alleviation, and overall development. Pakistan remains dedicated to the effective implementation of the international conventions that form the basis of the GSP framework.
