ISLAMABAD:
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has both Pakistan and China expressed deep concern over the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) activities in Afghanistan at the recent trilateral meeting of Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan in Kabul.
“We told the Kabul leadership in clear terms: either take action against the TTP or hand them over to Pakistan,” he said at a press conference at the Foreign Office on Friday.
According to Dar, who also serves as the country’s deputy prime minister, the trilateral meeting also discussed extending the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project to Afghanistan, laying railway lines in Kabul, and enhancing regional trade links.
“In a bilateral meeting with the Afghan foreign minister, the two sides reviewed implementation of commitments made during his April visit. Afghan leadership appreciated Pakistan’s efforts,” he said.
On Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Pakistan, Dar said there were detailed talks on the second phase of CPEC, with the ML-1 railway project and Karakoram Highway as key components. Both countries underscored that peace and stability are essential for regional development.
Foreign Minister Dar also warned that if India makes another mistake like its May strikes inside Pakistan, it will receive the same response as before. “The Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Army, and Pakistan Navy have full capability to respond,” he said.
Pakistan and India engaged in a four-day confrontation after the eastern neighbor launched missile strikes inside Pakistan in what it claimed as a retaliation to a militant attack on tourists in the Pahalgam area of the held Kashmir on April 22.
On May 10, Pakistan carried out a series of strikes on various military sites inside India. New Delhi on the same day agreed to a ceasefire after intervention of the United States.
Dar said Pakistan has highlighted national security issues and adopted a clear stance on key regional challenges at different international forums.
He shared details of his important visit to the United States from July 21 to July 28, during which Pakistan held the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Recalling his visit to the UK, he said he held important meetings with the British foreign secretary, the deputy prime minister, and Kashmiri leaders.
In London, the Pakistani High Commission inaugurated the Punjab Land Digitization Project and launched a one-window operation for passport services. He also announced that the PIA would begin direct flights to Manchester from September, greatly facilitating overseas Pakistanis.
Dar highlighted that during Pakistan’s presidency of the UNSC, it raised its voice strongly for Palestine both at the UN and the OIC.
“For the first time in many years, a UNSC resolution in support of Palestine was adopted under Pakistan’s leadership, now serving as a reference point at global forums. Pakistan also took a firm stance on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
During his US trip, Dar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the UNGA president, foreign ministers of OIC member states, as well as business leaders, journalists, and overseas Pakistanis. He said these interactions strengthened Pakistan’s position further.
