ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan confirmed on Friday that it had decided to open specific border routes for the passage of UN humanitarian aid into Afghanistan, following formal requests from several UN agencies, a move which the foreign ministry said reflected Islamabad’s “own commitment to humanitarian access” despite ongoing tensions with Kabul.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said at his weekly press briefing that Pakistan had approved a phased opening of UN aid at the request of organizations such as the World Food Program (WFP), UNICEF and UNFPA.
“In line with our own commitment to humanitarian access and requests made by UN agencies, the government has formally approved the movement of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan which will take place in three phases,” he told reporters.
He explained that the first phase would allow containers carrying food products; the second would cover pharmaceutical products and medical equipment; and the third would include “other essential goods related to education and health”.
The spokesperson stressed that the progressive mechanism was designed only to ensure an orderly flow of aid and should not be interpreted politically. “We do not intend to classify them for any purpose other than to ensure that everything goes smoothly and to determine how the movement of humanitarian aid will arrive in Afghanistan,” he said.
Andrabi stressed that even as Pakistan facilitated humanitarian aid to ordinary Afghans, the broader border closure remained firmly in place. “Regarding the use of border crossings for the resumption of trade and movement in general… they will remain closed,” he said.
He reiterated that Pakistan’s restrictions were linked to security concerns related to terrorist infiltrations from across the border.
“Pakistan has nothing against the Afghan people. The Afghan people are our brothers and sisters. We do not wish them any harm,” he said.
“While the border closure has a specific context and the reasons behind it are still valid…we remain positive and engaged on the issue of helping the Afghan people.”
Responding to remarks by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, who said Afghanistan would not open its side of the border until Pakistan gave “firm guarantees”, the spokesperson suggested that Kabul may have misunderstood Islamabad’s decision.
“I suspect the Afghan spokesperson may have made this statement because he did not fully understand Pakistan’s offer to open the border,” he said.
He added that the Afghan side may have assumed that Pakistan had opened the border for trade, while Islamabad’s decision applied strictly to UN aid shipments.
“It is entirely possible… that in response to this opening to UN humanitarian assistance, the Afghan spokesperson did not understand all the nuances,” Andrabi said.
The spokesperson also confirmed that the Turkish delegation, previously announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as part of a mediation effort between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, had not yet arrived.
“Pakistan welcomed this announcement… We are ready to receive the Turkish delegation. This delegation has not arrived yet and I do not know any timetable for its arrival,” Andrabi said.
He rejected suggestions that Pakistan was unwilling to participate in mediation.
“The fact that the Turkish delegation has not arrived yet is not due to Pakistan’s cooperation. Pakistan was open and stands ready…maybe because of the lack of cooperation from the Taliban. This is what we need to ask from the Taliban regime.”
Regarding media reports claiming that Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban had held talks in Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson said he had no information.
“We are not aware of these negotiations and I have no comment to make on this matter,” he said, adding earlier that “I have no information about the negotiations that you mentioned. If I receive information, I will share it with you.”
Asked about a UN report suggesting increased engagement between the Taliban and India, the spokesperson said such cooperation had existed historically but was only of concern if directed against Pakistan.
“This type of collusion has existed…and it’s obviously concerning in that it’s anti-Pakistan,” he said.
He added: “If the two countries cooperate on peaceful issues… Pakistan has no problem with that. Our problem starts when a third country views the relationship with Afghanistan as a zero-sum paradigm with Pakistan.”
Responding to a question on allegations that Pakistan used Israeli spyware, Andrabi categorically rejected the reports.
“It’s just media speculation. It’s just disinformation rumors. There is absolutely no cooperation between Pakistan and Israel on anything, let alone on spyware or any other such tool. So I would reject it categorically,” he said.
Marking the 33rd anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Mosque, Andrabi delivered a lengthy statement expressing Pakistan’s concern.
He said the event “remains troubling for all those who oppose intolerance and religious discrimination,” adding that safeguarding Muslim heritage was “a shared obligation of the international community.”
He urged India to promote “tolerance and inclusion” and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to protecting the rights of minorities in its country.
The spokesperson also confirmed that Pakistani missions in Thailand and Myanmar were closely coordinating the return of nationals stranded or detained in the region.
“Both our missions are involved in resolving this issue… The presence of these Pakistanis in Myanmar is regrettable,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s priorities were their safe return and preventing future smuggling.
