FO says Kabul must give guarantees, rejects India’s claims, reports on JF-17 deal
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan will continue to be part of the trilateral mechanism involving Pakistan, China and Afghanistan, saying the forum reflects Islamabad’s positive engagement, but it will maintain its long-standing stance on bilateral relations with Kabul, including demanding action against terrorist groups.
Speaking at the weekly press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said it was agreed during the Pakistan-China dialogue to maintain the trilateral mechanism. He said Pakistan was not seeking hostile relations with Afghanistan but was expecting concrete steps from the Taliban administration.
đź”´LIVE: Weekly press briefing by the spokesperson on 01/08/2026 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 8, 2026
“Pakistan expects verifiable written assurances that Afghan territory or citizens will not be used for terrorist purposes abroad,” Andrabi said. “These guarantees will also serve Afghanistan’s own interests.”
Pakistan has repeatedly said that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders and fighters enjoy safe havens in Afghanistan and operate with impunity under Taliban watch. The Afghan Taliban, however, accuse Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty through occasional airstrikes on TTP positions and of exerting political and military pressure.
Pakistan’s frustration has grown over the years. Islamabad has invested diplomatic and political capital to facilitate the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, hoping for improved border security and a reduction in anti-Pakistan militancy. Instead, Pakistan has seen an increase in TTP attacks, worsening security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and what it describes as a rebellious Taliban government unwilling to address its concerns.
Responding to reports that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to convert around $2 billion in Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal, Andrabi said the foreign ministry was not aware of any such deal. He said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia shared extensive defense ties and any developments would be communicated at the appropriate time.
Read: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss converting $2 billion loans into JF-17 fighter jet deal
On relations with India, the spokesperson dismissed recent remarks by the Indian foreign minister as “baseless.” He accused India of supporting terrorism regionally and internationally and said allegations against Pakistan could not hide India’s “anti-peace actions”. Andrabi also criticized the demolition of the Fateh Elahi Mosque and related properties in Delhi, calling it part of an anti-Muslim campaign which he said began with the demolition of the Babri Mosque in 1992 and the subsequent construction of a temple.
Addressing regional developments, Andrabi said Pakistan opposed any foreign interference in Iran’s internal affairs. He was responding to reports of ongoing protests in Iran over inflation and economic woes.
The protests, now in their 11th consecutive day, have turned violent in recent days. Iranian media reported that two members of the security forces were killed and at least 30 others injured, while the total death toll from clashes across the country stood at 35. Protesters reportedly threw stones at police and, in some cases, opened fire on security forces.
On Somaliland, Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s opposition to recognition of the self-proclaimed state, saying it threatens Somalia’s unity and territorial integrity.
Israel became the first country to officially recognize the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland on December 26. On December 28, foreign ministers from more than 20 Muslim-majority countries issued a joint statement rejecting Israel’s decision. The statement, issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, said the recognition violates international law and the United Nations Charter, which defends the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
