Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for the Foreign Office, emphasized that the upcoming visit of US officials is a routine part of the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the US.
The dialogues between the two countries cover various areas such as the economy, education, climate change, defense, and security. Responding to questions about the visit of the US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Thomas West, and his delegation, Baloch stated that discussions would likely focus on the issue of 25,000 Afghan refugees currently residing in Pakistan and the possibility of their rehabilitation in Western nations.
Regarding recent terror attacks in Pakistan, Baloch mentioned that the suspects had connections with groups based in Afghanistan. She urged the Afghan government to take concrete action, emphasizing the commitment they had made to prevent their soil from being used against any country. Baloch expressed Pakistan’s desire for positive economic and diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for action against safe havens for outlawed groups like the TTP.
In response to questions about India’s alleged involvement in assassination plots against Sikh leaders in the US and Canada, Baloch accused India of carrying out assassinations and abductions across South Asia, particularly in Pakistan. She urged the international community to address Pakistan’s concerns, emphasizing that India supports various terrorist actors operating in Pakistan.
Baloch described the situation in Gaza as a painful moment, expressing Pakistan’s stance on Israel’s aggression in the besieged strip. She called for a complete ceasefire in Gaza, the West Bank, and other areas targeted by Israeli bombings, emphasizing that short-term pauses are not a lasting solution.
