Pakistan rules out negotiations with TTP after Kabul offers mediation

FO spox says Pakistan is constantly in touch with the Greece authorities on boat incident

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan has ruled out negotiations with the banned TTP, saying it will not engage with those who are involved in killing of civilians. 

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated it during her weekly press briefing when various questions were asked about talks between the Pakistan government and the militant organisation. 

She said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto had already stated that Pakistan would not negotiate with individuals who are responsible for killing of Pakistani civilians and law-enforcement officials.

The response comes as the Afghan Taliban government has said Kabul is ready to negotiate talks between the two sides if Islamabad requests for the mediation.

“If Pakistan wants us to mediate, and we know that it is beneficial, we will undoubtedly mediate as it benefits the region and we don’t want war in the region,” an Afghanistan media outlet quoted Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid as saying. 

While talking about Greece boat tragedy, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan was constantly in touch with the Greece authorities on boat capsising incident and investigations were going on regarding the circumstances that led to the incident. 

Ms Baloch said Ambassador Aamar Aftab and his team at Pakistan Mission in Greece had worked round the clock for recovery and identification of Pakistani nationals who are missing or feared dead and for providing relief to the survivors. 

The spokesperson said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had also spoken to his Greek counterpart to discuss arrangements for the recovery of the missing, identification of the bodies and providing relief to the survivors and our efforts would continue in this regard. 

Turning to prevailing situation in the occupied Kashmir, she said the international community commemorated the World Refugee Day this week which is a reminder of the suffering of Kashmiris who have been evicted from their land and forced to live in exile.

She said the Kashmiris were forced to flee violence, persecution and gross human rights abuses. Thousands of people of Jammu and Kashmir are spending a homeless life and are unable to return to their homeland. India must bring an end to the climate of fear and persecution in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and bring peace in the lives of the Kashmiri people.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch reiterated that Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.