Indian statement on Balochistan attack confirms Pakistan’s view of New Delhi’s role: FO

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi on Thursday highlighted that the reaction from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), following the recent terrorist attack in Balochistan, effectively corroborated Pakistan’s longstanding position regarding external involvement in destabilising activities.

Speaking at a weekly media briefing, FO Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the remarks by India also followed a recent terrorist attack in Balochistan, which Pakistan says underscores India’s role in promoting extremist activities in the region.

“And in light of the Balochistan terrorist incident, India’s comments effectively confirm Pakistan’s stance,” he said.

Andrabi also highlighted the 19th anniversary of the 2007 Samjhauta Express attack, which killed more than 70 people. He said the accused, including Swami Aseemanand, Indian Army officer Lieutenant Colonel Purohit, and former BJP lawmaker Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, had publicly admitted their involvement but remain free.

“All four convicts involved in the Samjhauta Express attack are still free. India has failed to bring them to justice,” he said, describing India’s systemic exoneration of the perpetrators as evidence of state complicity in terrorism against Pakistan.

Andrabi further said that the current Indian regime has allowed Hindutva extremism and saffron terror, which motivated the attack nearly two decades ago, to intensify. He demanded a fair trial in which all perpetrators and abettors of the Samjhauta Express attack be held accountable, adding that the victims’ families deserve justice.

The spokesperson also highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Qatar from February 23-24 at the invitation of the emir, who expressed a desire to strengthen economic ties. During the visit, the PM also met Qatar’s defence minister and minister of state, he said.

He said the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of political engagement. They underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, particularly in trade, investment and economic collaboration.

The Qatari amir reiterated commitment to deepening economic partnership with Pakistan to a higher strategic level. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments, emphasising dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful resolution of disputes.

Andrabi further said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from February 26-28 to participate in an extraordinary ministerial session of the Executive Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), being held in Jeddah today.

The emergency session has been convened to consider what Pakistan described as illegal decisions by Israeli occupation authorities aimed at expanding settlements, pursuing annexation, and imposing sovereignty over the occupied West Bank.

At the ministerial meeting, Dar will present Pakistan’s perspective on Israel’s measures to convert areas of the occupied West Bank into what it termed “so-called state land.” On the sidelines of the session, he is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of OIC member states.

The spokesperson noted that Pakistan joined joint statements by OIC members and other countries strongly condemning recent Israeli actions extending unlawful control over the West Bank, describing such measures as violations of international law and threats to regional peace and stability.