By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan's Foreign Office firmly rejected the Indian statements on the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, affirming its non-interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs, and responding to concerns over Afghanistan and cross-border terrorism.

The Foreign Office categorically rejected remarks by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding the ongoing Legislative Assembly elections in AJK, terming them baseless and politically motivated.

Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi on Thursday stated that India has no legal standing or moral authority to comment on the democratic process in AJK while it denies the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) their fundamental political rights.

Andrabi reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized disputed territory, and its final disposition should be determined in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people through a UN-administered plebiscite.

Responding to questions about the recent address by convicted exiled former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, Andrabi clarified that Pakistan does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

He stated that the fact that the statement was made from India is a matter between Bangladesh and India.

"We do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, and as such, we do not have any comment to offer," Andrabi said, adding that the people of Bangladesh are fully capable of resolving their issues independently.

He confirmed that Pakistan's diplomatic engagement with Bangladesh continues through normal channels and is not constrained by any single event.

- Afghanistan and Cross-Border Terrorism

Addressing the situation in Afghanistan, Andrabi stated that reports of clashes between the Afghan Taliban and opposing forces are an internal matter of Afghanistan and do not merit comment from Pakistan's side.

However, he firmly reiterated Pakistan's position on the use of Afghan soil for terrorism. He said Pakistan has communicated "quite clearly and forthrightly to Kabul that this support infrastructure for terrorism in Afghanistan must be eliminated".

He also noted that the Taliban regime needs to make a choice between good relations with Pakistan and its continued linkages with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), describing this as the "main stumbling block" in the relationship.

Andrabi confirmed that the Fourth Round of the Pakistan-US Counterterrorism Dialogue was held in Washington D.C. on August 5, where both countries affirmed their joint resolve to confront terrorist organizations such as ISIS-K, al-Qa'ida, the TTP, and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

The dialogue also covered steps to strengthen border security and disrupt terrorist facilitation networks across the region.