ISLAMABAD : Pakistan has issued a stark ultimatum to Afghanistan, declaring that the Kabul government must choose between maintaining good bilateral relations with Islamabad or continuing its support for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
This was stated by the Foreign Office spokesperson during a weekly briefing, where he made it clear that as long as the Afghan government does not sever its ties with the TTP, any improvement in bilateral relations remains impossible. “The Kabul government must decide whether it wants good relations with Pakistan or support for the TTP,” the spokesperson asserted.
On the issue of international aid to Afghanistan, the spokesperson clarified that Pakistan does not oppose humanitarian and economic assistance to the war-torn country. However, he emphasized that donor nations must ensure that the aid is not diverted to the TTP or any other terrorist groups operating in the region.
Separately, Pakistan strongly condemned the recent attacks on commercial ships in the Bab al-Mandab strait, terming them a violation of international law and a threat to maritime security. The spokesperson, however, stated that he had no information regarding any provision of military protection to vessels in the strategic waterway.
Addressing bilateral ties with Iran, the spokesperson confirmed that border trade and commercial activities between the two countries are continuing as usual. He also clarified that the decision to keep the border open does not constitute a violation of international sanctions
