By The South Asia Times 

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has said it remains open to dialogue with Afghanistan but will not engage in unconditional talks, insisting that the Taliban authorities must take concrete and verifiable action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan told a weekly news briefing on Thursday that Islamabad's primary demand was a mechanism ensuring a complete cessation of terrorist activities originating from Afghanistan and targeting Pakistan.

“Pakistan is not shying away from discussions or dialogue, including with representatives of Afghanistan,” Khan said, adding that Islamabad would welcome genuine mediation efforts by friendly countries if they could address Pakistan's security concerns and promote regional stability.

However, he said meaningful negotiations would require tangible progress on the ground.

The remarks come amid strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan over Islamabad's allegations that militant groups, particularly the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operate from Afghan territory. Afghanistan's Taliban authorities have repeatedly rejected accusations that they allow their territory to be used against other countries.

Pakistan open to Russian mediation

Asked whether Russia could mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Khan said Islamabad valued its engagement with Moscow on regional security and welcomed constructive initiatives.

He said Pakistan was not aware of any separate, formal Russian mediation proposal but remained open to meaningful efforts that could produce tangible results.

Pakistan participated in the recent Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan through its special representative, Mohammad Sadiq Khan, and its ambassador to Afghanistan, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani.

The meeting brought together representatives of 10 countries to discuss Afghanistan and regional security concerns.

Khan noted that no joint communiqué was issued after the meeting, saying Kabul had not accepted language on the presence of terrorist networks in Afghanistan that had been acceptable in previous discussions.

He described this as evidence of reluctance by the Afghan authorities to acknowledge the presence of militant networks on Afghan soil.

Pakistan condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia

The spokesperson also strongly condemned a reported Houthi attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, reaffirming Pakistan's support for Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and security.

He said Pakistan had repeatedly condemned attacks on Saudi civilian and economic infrastructure and remained committed to its defence arrangements with the kingdom.

Responding to a question about Pakistani casualties, Khan confirmed that one Pakistani national had been killed at Riyadh International Airport and six others had been injured.

He said the injured were receiving treatment at different locations in Riyadh and that Pakistan's diplomatic mission was in contact with them and their families.

Khan said Pakistan would fulfil its obligations under its bilateral defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and the trilateral security arrangement involving Türkiye.

However, he declined to provide a timeline for the practical activation of the defence arrangements, saying operational matters fell under the responsibilities of the armed forces and the relevant joint alliance secretariat.

Pakistan supports Saudi Arabia's right to defend itself under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, he added.

Pakistan warns India against aggression

Khan also rejected recent remarks by India's defence minister that Pakistan described as threatening military aggression.

He said the statements reflected what Islamabad considers India's hegemonic approach and warned that further military escalation could undermine regional peace and stability.

“Pakistan remains fully prepared to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any ill-advised aggression,” Khan said.

He referred to the military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in May 2025, saying Pakistan had demonstrated its ability and determination to defend itself.

He urged India to abandon what he called belligerent rhetoric and pursue lasting peace through responsible engagement.

Pakistan reports decline in irregular migration to Europe

On relations with the European Union, Khan said irregular migration from Pakistan to Europe had declined by 64% over the previous 18 months, citing EU figures.

He attributed the reduction to improved border management, stronger institutional capacity and efforts to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking.

During a meeting on October 13, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed migration and mobility with European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner.

Islamabad wants the reduction in irregular migration to be accompanied by expanded opportunities for Pakistanis to migrate legally to European countries for work, Khan said.

He said the Pakistan-EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue, launched in November 2022, offered a framework for developing mutually beneficial labour mobility arrangements.

Pakistan calls for international action on Kashmir

The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan's concerns over human rights violations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, including restrictions on religious practices and reported seizures of residential properties.

He said Pakistan had raised the issue at international forums, including during the high-level segment of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

Islamabad would welcome a new United Nations report documenting conditions in the disputed territory, he added.

Khan also reiterated Pakistan's position that the future status of Jammu and Kashmir should be determined in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

On the Palestinian issue, he condemned the continued forced displacement of Palestinians from the occupied West Bank and attempts to prevent displaced residents from returning to their homes.

He called on the international community to intervene and uphold Palestinians' right of return and self-determination.

Pakistan continues to support the establishment of an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Pakistan seeks investment in mineral resources

Khan said Pakistan was seeking international investment to develop its mineral resources, which the government estimates could be worth approximately $7 trillion.

He said Islamabad welcomed investors from all countries and that its efforts were not restricted to any single partner.

The Special Investment Facilitation Council, established to facilitate investment, was helping Pakistan attract international companies interested in exploring and developing its natural resources.

“Having mineral reserves is one thing, but exploring and developing them is essential to realize their full potential,” he said.

He added that Pakistan remained committed to diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran, warning that disruptions to maritime routes could affect regional trade and supply chains.

Other diplomatic developments

The spokesperson said Pakistan and Oman had agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, maritime connectivity, information technology and workforce mobility during Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi's visit to Pakistan on October 13-14.

The two sides signed five agreements and memorandums of understanding during the visit.

Pakistan and Russia also discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, culture and tourism during a meeting between Dar and Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev on October 14.

Khan said Pakistan had also joined 18 other countries in condemning Colombia's inauguration of an embassy in Jerusalem, arguing that the move undermined efforts to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On nuclear security, he said a first-ever International Atomic Energy Agency International Physical Protection Advisory Service mission to Pakistan had concluded on October 9 after reviewing the country's legal and regulatory framework.

The mission's completion reflected Pakistan's commitment to strengthening nuclear security and international cooperation, he added.

The spokesperson also said Pakistan was advancing digital reforms to simplify the attestation and verification of educational documents through closer integration between the Foreign Ministry, the Higher Education Commission and the Inter Boards Coordination Commission.

The reforms aim to reduce delays, improve transparency and make consular services more accessible to Pakistanis at home and abroad.