Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the outgoing spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, reaffirmed on Thursday that Pakistan respects Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
According to a report by Pak Observer, in her final media briefing, Baloch dismissed social media claims of Pakistani armed forces conducting attacks inside Afghanistan’s Wakhan Strip, a narrow land corridor in eastern Badakhshan province bordering Pakistan and Tajikistan.
She emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining friendly relations with neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, and noted that dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul remains ongoing.
“We will continue discussions with the Afghan government on all bilateral matters, including border issues,” Baloch said in response to queries about alleged attacks by Afghan security forces across the border.
Regarding reports of Pakistani military actions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border late last month, Baloch clarified that such operations were solely aimed at countering potential terror threats.
“Any terrorist attempting to enter Pakistani territory will be met with a strong response. Our forces are fully prepared to defend our sovereignty,” she stated firmly. When asked about Afghan officials labeling the Durand Line as a hypothetical border, Baloch affirmed that it is an internationally recognized boundary.
“This issue is not even on the agenda of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan,” she explained. Responding to questions about the Taliban government’s legitimacy, Baloch said, “We respect the choice of the Afghan people. It is their right to determine their political system.”
She also highlighted Pakistan’s decades-long support for Afghan refugees, while stressing the importance of repatriating remaining refugees with dignity. Additionally, she clarified that Pakistan’s operations target foreigners residing illegally in Afghanistan, not legitimate Afghan residents.
