Pakistan rejects Afghan Taliban claim over border firing

Pakistan rejected on Thursday claims by Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers that its forces initiated firing along the tightly controlled Chaman border crossing, saying Afghan personnel triggered the exchange.

The border point links Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province with southern Afghanistan and is a major artery for trade and civilian travel.

“The firing was initiated from the Afghan side, and Pakistani security forces only responded in self-defense,” the Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad.

The spokesperson warned that armed incidents at the frontier disrupt cross-border movement and commerce, which millions of Afghans and Pakistanis rely on.

“Incidents of this nature create mistrust and negatively impact the efforts toward maintaining open and peaceful borders,” the spokesperson said.

He added that the clash “has not set a positive precedent” for reopening the border, which remains closed.

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“Borders will remain closed as long as the security situation remains unstable. Any decision regarding the reopening will be made keeping in view the evolving security environment,” he said.

Talks continue in Istanbul

The spokesperson confirmed Pakistan’s participation in ongoing peace talks with the Taliban in Istanbul. “The talks are being held under the supervision of international mediators, and our delegation has shared logical, evidence-based, and well-documented information,” he said.

That information relates to “the menace of Khawarij,” a term Pakistani officials use to describe Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants. “Our demands are simple, clear, and based on facts. Until the talks are concluded, we will refrain from any comment,” he added.

Pakistan has long accused militants based inside Afghanistan of launching attacks on its soil, a charge the Taliban deny.

No decision yet on joining a Gaza stabilization force

Responding to questions about whether Pakistan might contribute troops to a proposed Gaza Stabilization Force, the spokesperson said no decision has been taken. “Any decision to send Pakistani forces will be taken by the parliament,” he said.

The spokesperson rejected media reports alleging secret intelligence-level meetings involving Pakistan and other countries over a potential Gaza deployment.

“Pakistan has neither held any such meeting nor demanded money in exchange for joining any Gaza mission,” he said, calling the reports “baseless and misleading.”

He accused Indian news outlets of spreading “fabricated and sensational” stories about Pakistan’s role.

Prime minister, president engaged in diplomacy abroad

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has traveled to Azerbaijan to join Victory Day celebrations in Baku.

President Asif Ali Zardari recently returned from Qatar, where he criticized India’s actions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, calling them a threat to regional stability. He also met world leaders during the visit to discuss broader diplomatic cooperation.

Foreign minister attends Gaza crisis meeting in Turkey

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar traveled to Turkey at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart for a meeting of foreign ministers from Muslim-majority countries focused on the Gaza conflict.

Dar condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza and called for unimpeded humanitarian access to civilians. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding support for the Palestinian cause.

During the visit, he also held discussions aimed at strengthening Pakistan-Türkiye relations.

Upon returning home, Dar attended the Google Chrome Summit and spoke with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand by phone on bilateral cooperation.

Pakistan rejects Indian media reports on Hindu pilgrims

The spokesperson dismissed Indian media reports accusing Pakistan of preventing Hindu pilgrims from entering the country. “These claims are completely false and contrary to facts,” he said.

He said Pakistan issued visas to 2,400 pilgrims and only asked a small number to complete missing paperwork before allowing entry.

He added that Pakistan remains committed to facilitating religious tourism under agreements between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.