Pakistan has called for Afghanistan to take action against the perpetrators of the Jaffar Express attack, which involved hostage-taking by terrorists. The Foreign Office also condemned Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza and criticized the Indian government’s ban on Kashmiri political groups, emphasizing the necessity for international intervention to address these issues.
Pakistan has strongly urged Afghanistan to take decisive action against individuals responsible for the recent attack on the Jaffar Express in Balochistan. During a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan highlighted that the attack, which involved terrorists taking over 400 passengers hostage, is indicative of a larger terrorist agenda originating from outside the nation. He underscored the necessity for the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan to collaborate with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.
On Tuesday, terrorists targeted the Jaffar Express near Sibi, resulting in a hostage situation that concluded with Pakistani security forces successfully rescuing all passengers by Wednesday. The operation to neutralize the assailants, who numbered 33, also led to the tragic loss of 21 civilian lives before the operation started, as stated by the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. Notably, four personnel from the Frontier Corps also sacrificed their lives during the rescue mission.
In addition to addressing the attack, the Foreign Office spokesperson condemned Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, labeling it as a systematic effort to weaponize support and dehumanize the Palestinian population. The ongoing assaults in the West Bank and Gaza have resulted in significant casualties, including numerous innocent civilians, which the spokesperson denounced as unacceptable.
Khan called for an immediate halt to hostilities in these regions and emphasized the need for protection of civilians along with unhindered humanitarian access. He insisted that the international community must intervene to halt what he described as Israel’s genocidal actions against Palestinians and urged accountability for their alleged war crimes.
Furthermore, the spokesperson criticized the Indian authorities for their recent designation of the ‘Awami Action Committee’ and ‘Jammu and Kashmir Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen’ as ‘Unlawful Associations.’ This decision is seen as part of a trend to suppress political expression in Jammu and Kashmir, where the number of banned organizations has now totaled 16. Khan highlighted that such measures unjustly curtail democratic processes and reflect the Indian government’s oppressive stance.
He also urged the Indian government to lift restrictions on Kashmiri political groups, ensure the release of all political prisoners, and adhere to United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Jammu and Kashmir. Lastly, the deputy prime minister condemned proposals for the forced resettlement of Palestinians, asserting the urgent need for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, as essential for achieving lasting regional peace.
In summary, Pakistan has called upon Afghanistan to address the terrorist elements responsible for the Jaffar Express attack, while also condemning Israel’s humanitarian blockade in Gaza and the suppression of Kashmiri political organizations by India. The need for international accountability and the establishment of a sovereign Palestine were emphasized as pivotal issues in promoting peace in the region. Pakistan advocates for collaborative actions against terrorism and the preservation of democratic norms across oppressed regions.
Original Source: dunyanews.tv
