Pakistan rejects Amnesty report on Kabul strikes: Foreign Office spokesperson

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday firmly rejected Amnesty International's allegations regarding its March 16 airstrikes in Afghanistan, while also expressing disappointment over the European Union's latest assessment of the country's compliance under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework.

Addressing the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi dismissed Amnesty International's report, released on July 21, which claimed that Pakistani strikes had hit a rehabilitation facility in Kabul, resulting in civilian casualties.

"We completely reject the allegations made by Amnesty International," Andrabi said, describing it as unfortunate that such serious claims had been made without credible evidence.

He maintained that Pakistan's military action was carried out solely in exercise of its right to self-defense and targeted only terrorist hideouts and logistical support bases in Afghanistan.

According to the spokesperson, the operation adhered to the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality, adding that the response was measured and restrained despite the persistent terrorist threat faced by Pakistan.

He reiterated that Pakistan had previously clarified that the March 16 operation targeted an ammunition depot and drone storage facility used by terrorist elements.

Andrabi urged Amnesty International and the international community to focus on what he termed the Afghan Taliban's continued support for terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.

He also called on the global community to hold the Taliban administration accountable for fulfilling its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Doha Agreement by preventing Afghan soil from being used for terrorist activities.

"Pakistan reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens," the spokesperson said, stressing that no responsible state could remain passive in the face of repeated terrorist attacks.

He alleged that groups including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, the Baloch Liberation Army and other terrorist organizations continue to enjoy safe havens in Afghanistan, enabling them to recruit, finance and launch cross-border attacks against Pakistan.

According to Andrabi, thousands of Pakistanis have lost their lives or sustained injuries in attacks that were planned and facilitated from Afghan territory.

Pakistan disappointed with EU GSP+ report

Responding to another question, Andrabi expressed disappointment over the European Union's latest report reviewing Pakistan's performance under the GSP+ trade scheme.

While welcoming the report's recognition of Pakistan's legislative progress and continued compliance with 27 international conventions, he said the overall assessment failed to present a balanced picture.

"The report understates the scope of reforms undertaken by Pakistan since joining GSP+ in 2014 and places disproportionate emphasis on limited areas where progress has been slower," he said.

The spokesperson reaffirmed that the GSP+ framework remains a cornerstone of Pakistan-EU economic relations, supporting exports, employment, women's economic participation, poverty reduction and overall economic growth.

He added that Pakistan would continue engaging constructively with the European Commission and other EU institutions while remaining committed to implementing the international conventions linked to the GSP+ program.

Andrabi noted that cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union extends beyond trade to include development, migration, counterterrorism, regional stability, climate resilience and connectivity.

Defending Pakistani vessels

Spokesperson Tahir Andarabi reiterated Pakistan’s position that any attack on its flag-carrying or commercial vessels will be considered an attack against the country and will be met with a swift response under its right to self-defense.

Responding to a question regarding the deployment of Pakistani forces in the Bab-ul-Mandab Strait, he said Pakistan remains fully alert to the evolving security situation in the strategically vital waterway.

He noted that the Red Sea and the Bab-ul-Mandab Strait are among the world's busiest maritime routes, with a significant portion of global trade passing through the narrow passage, which spans approximately 27 kilometers at its narrowest point.

The spokesperson said operational details, including what would constitute an attack or Pakistan's operational red lines, would be determined by the country's armed forces.

"Defending Pakistan's national security and assets is a red line," Andarabi said, adding that Islamabad's earlier statement made it clear that any attack on Pakistan's flag-carrying or commercial vessels would be treated as an attack against Pakistan and responded to swiftly in exercise of the country's inherent right to self-defense.

Responding to a question about Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to implementing all bilateral agreements with Riyadh, including defense cooperation and the mutual defense agreement.

He said all agreements between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remain fully operational and Islamabad remains committed to fulfilling its obligations under those arrangements.

Ceasefire proposal

To a question regarding a reported 10-day ceasefire proposal between Iran and the US, he refused to comment, saying, “Pakistan has been advocating for peace and the necessity to give peace a chance through diplomacy and dialogue, and we believe that the best template to revert to the peace process remains the Islamabad MoU and joint statement between Pakistan and Qatar offers a roadmap to implement the peace process.”

He further said, “We have not lost hope in the darkest of days of this conflict cycle where escalations have mounted, and attacks took place back and forth.”

The spokesperson went on to say that Pakistan is still hopeful, however grim the situation might be on the ground.

“It is with the same optimism that we will forward our advocacy for dialogue and diplomacy.”

Dar to attend SCO foreign ministers' meeting

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will visit Kyrgyzstan on Friday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.

The Foreign Office said Dar will lead Pakistan's delegation at the meeting and is expected to hold bilateral meetings with participating foreign ministers on the sidelines of the summit.

He is also scheduled to call on Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov during his two-day visit.

The SCO Council of Foreign Ministers is one of the organization's key decision-making forums and discusses regional security, international affairs and foreign policy coordination among member states.