ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has explicitly rejected engaging in dialogue with people who engage in terrorism there and reiterated that no such discussions will take place in the future. The Foreign Office’s spokesperson reacted to a question about the Afghan Taliban’s suggestion that Pakistan hold talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during the weekly media briefing on Thursday by saying, “I have responded in the past as well, and I will reiterate. Pakistan maintains that it will not engage in negotiations with people or organisations that have been linked to the murder of Pakistani citizens or members of the security forces or who refuse to respect the country’s constitution.
“Pakistan’s position has been very clearly enunciated including to those who propose such talks.” In an interview with a British media house, the FO spokesperson said that the Afghan foreign ministry’s point of view does not match Pakistan’s.
Pakistan also commented officially for the first time on the current civil war in India’s Manipur region.
“We are following the developments. We have also seen the pronouncements made by the international community about their concerns about the plight of minorities in India.
“As you know, we have on a number of occasions maintained that the safety and security of minorities and their places of worship should be ensured by the Indian government,” said the spokesperson.
Meanwhile, Pakistan continues efforts to find a way out for the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), while reaching out to all stakeholders. It has also made very clear the position of neutrality in this conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“As the foreign minister has reiterated we believe that conflict does not serve anyone. It creates difficulties and miseries for the people of both countries. It is, therefore, important to find a negotiated settlement of this conflict so that peace can prevail and the people of Ukraine and Russia can enjoy the peace dividends,” reminded the Foreign Office.
In this regard, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari telephoned United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and shared Pakistan’s perspective on the stalling of the BSGI and its implications for food inflation worldwide.
