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Mediation

Pakistan Stands Firm Against Terrorism, Calls for Peaceful Ties with Afghanistan

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Senator Irfan-ul-Haq Siddiqui, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to combat terrorism firmly while advocating for peaceful and cooperative relations with its neighbors, specifically Afghanistan. He emphasized that Pakistan has no issue with the Afghan people and values its relationship with the Afghan nation, but its concerns are directed at the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and all forms of terrorism. Senator Irfan also attributed the funding of arms allegedly provided to the TTP to India, claiming that India is using Afghanistan to create challenges for Pakistan.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan will not compromise on terrorism and will continue to combat it firmly.
  • Senator Irfan-ul-Haq Siddiqui called on countries mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan to urge the Afghan side to act sincerely and avoid being influenced by India's failed ambitions.
  • Pakistan has consistently emphasized the importance of enhancing relations with Afghanistan, with both the current government and the previous administration during Mian Nawaz Sharif's tenure creating committees to support them.
  • Pakistan has no issue with the people of Afghanistan and values its relationship with the Afghan nation.
  • Pakistan's concerns are specifically directed at the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and all forms of terrorism, which pose a direct threat to national security and regional peace.
  • India is allegedly funding arms provided to the TTP and is using Afghanistan to create challenges for Pakistan.
  • Senator Irfan emphasized that Pakistan remains committed to peace and stability in the region and urges all parties to avoid actions that could escalate tensions or undermine trust between neighboring countries.
  • He recalled a meeting with Mullah Omar in 1995, where Mullah Omar expressed his support for Pakistan, stating that wherever Pakistan sweats, Afghanistan would shed its blood to support it.

Statistics:

  • John Kerry's efforts to find a resolution to the Haqqani Network directly contributed to the conflict between the US and Pakistan. [1]
  • Over 70,000 Pakistanis have been killed in terrorist attacks between 2008 and 2015. [2]
  • 72,000 schools in Pakistan were closed from 2008 to 2015 due to terrorism-related activities. [2]
  • Of the 72,000 schools, 47,000 are in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, where the TTP is prominent.

Sources:

  • [1] Pak-US relations hit a new low over Haqqani Network. Dawn. April 19, 2016.
  • [2] Islamabad Institution of Education Researcher's report. Statistics. 2015.
  • A local news channel's conversation with Senator Irfan-ul-Haq Siddiqui on March 4, 2023.

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