• Spokesperson says verbal statements or expressions of intent ‘insufficient’
• Insists Islamabad views situation in Iran as ‘internal matter’, rejects any external pressure
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday underscored that progress in ties with Afghanistan hinged on credible counterterrorism assurances from Kabul, particularly a commitment that its soil would not be used for attacks against Pakistan, while noting Islamabad’s desire to remain positively engaged despite deep strains in bilateral relations.
Addressing a weekly news briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stressed that Pakistan was not seeking confrontation with Afghanistan but could not compromise on its core security demand.
“Pakistan does not wish to be hostile to Afghanistan. Our demand to Afghanistan is very simple; it is not something that is against the basic responsibility of any nation. The terrorist elements and its own individual Afghan nationals should not be part of the terrorism in other countries,” he said, adding that Pakistan would maintain this position “unless we get concrete, verifiable, written assurances from the Afghan side that their soil will not be used”.
Mr Andrabi emphasised that verbal statements or expressions of intent regarding counterterrorism cooperation were insufficient and said Islamabad required formal, enforceable commitments.
“There is a need [for] written, verifiable assurances and commitment to stop these acts [of terrorism].”
He recalled the immense potential for bilateral cooperation but said it could only be realised once Pakistan received written commitments and assurances on counterterrorism from Afghanistan. He said Pakistan continued to hope for a constructive response from Kabul despite the absence of such guarantees so far.
“The Afghan side has still not given verifiable, written, concrete assurances. Despite that, Pakistan wishes to engage positively …. We have no option but to remain engaged and be positive,” he added.
The spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan remained open to engagement at multiple levels, including regional formats.
‘Iran’s internal matter’
The spokesperson said Pakistan firmly opposed any foreign interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, including Iran, in its first public comments since a fresh wave of protests erupted across the Islamic republic earlier this month.
He said Islamabad viewed the situation in Iran as an internal matter and rejected external pressure or aggression.
The spokesperson stressed that Pakistan did not wish to comment on Iran’s internal developments.
The spokesperson declined to confirm reports of talks with Saudi Arabia on the sale of JF-17 fighter jets, saying any such development would only be confirmed once a deal materialised.
Responding to questions about the reported negotiations, Mr Andrabi said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia maintained broad and ongoing defence cooperation but stopped short of acknowledging any specific discussions.
A Reuters report on Wednesday cited Pakistani sources as saying Islamabad and Riyadh were in talks to convert about $2 billion in Saudi loans into a deal for JF-17 Thunder fighter jets.
Separately, the FO issued a joint statement in which Pakistan and a wide selection of Muslim countries condemned a visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to Somaliland earlier this week.
“The said visit constitutes a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and undermines established international norms and the United Nations Charter,” it read.
Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2026
