Pakistan has ruled out talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan expects the Afghan authorities to take urgent action against the terrorist outfits and their leadership for the crimes they are committing and terrorist incidents they are responsible for in Pakistan.
Responding to the queries of media persons at her weekly news briefing regarding the suggestion made by an Afghan Minister for talks between Pakistan and TTP, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan expects the Afghan authorities to take urgent action against the terrorist outfits and their leadership for the crimes they are committing and terrorist incidents they are responsible for in Pakistan.
She said Pakistan remains committed to fighting against all the terrorist outfits which have targeted Pakistan and the symbols of Pakistan-China friendship.
She said that following the security audit and enhancement of security measures, the Chinese projects in Pakistan are functional.
Israel deliberately targets World Central Kitchen’s food aid convoy: FO
Pakistan Thursday condemned the deadly by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on the World Central Kitchen’s convoy in Gaza, terming that it was not an “isolated incident”.
In a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch said, “for the past six months, Israeli authorities have been involved in crass and systematic violation of international humanitarian law by repeatedly targeting the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), aid and unarmed civilians. The deliberate targeting of a humanitarian convoy bringing food to people facing famine is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
The spokesperson noted that the attack had taken place at a time when “Israel is creating hurdles at UNRWA’s effort to bring food and vital life-saving aid to the people of Gaza.”
She also noted that Israel’s attack on the consulate section of the Iranian embassy in Syria was “irresponsible” and a “violation of the UN charter, international law and conventions”.
Pakistan condemned these atrocities and call for international accountability of Israel and its crimes against humanity.
Separately, The White House dodged answering if it agrees with Chef Jose Andres’ sentiment that Israel is using food as a weapon on Wednesday following these allegations from the celebrity chef, whose World Central Kitchen aid workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Monday.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said there are some initial findings but the investigation is still underway.
Jean-Pierre said Biden’s statement condemning Israel’s strikes against the aid workers, issued on Tuesday night, made it “loud and clear” where the president stands.
FO refuses to reveal date of PM Shehbaz visit to China
Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch in a weekly press briefing on Thursday refused to reveal the date of Minister Shehbaz's (PM) visit to the People’s Republic of China.
She was answering a question about premier Shehbaz's visit to China.
Foreign Office spokesman confirmed Chinese inter-agency security delegation visited Pakistan after the Dasu suicide attack that killed five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani driver.
“The purpose of the visit was to improve security arrangements for Chinese residents and companies in Pakistan. FO is busy investigating the Daso attack from different sides,” Baloch said.
The spokesperson said the results of the investigation will be formally informed after it will be completed.
Zahra said: “There is so specific policy on illegal resident foreigners but Pakistan expressed desires for Afghan refugees of an early and dignified return. There has been no change in Pakistan's stance on the One Document Regime.”
