By The South Asia Times 

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan said on Friday that attacks originating from Afghan territory had caused more than 3,500 casualties in the country, including over 1,400 people killed in 2026 alone, while calling for stronger international cooperation to counter militant networks operating across the border.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi made the remarks during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, rejecting allegations by Afghanistan's Taliban administration that Pakistani counterterrorism operations had caused civilian casualties.

"Disinformation and misleading narratives will neither obscure the threat posed by terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory nor absolve the Afghan Taliban regime of its responsibility to prevent Afghan soil from being used to plan and launch attacks against Pakistan," the spokesperson said.

Pakistan also raised the issue during a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and visiting British Minister of State for Security Dan Jarvis on November 5.

The two sides discussed bilateral security cooperation and regional developments, with Dar highlighting the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghan territory and calling for concerted international efforts to counter it.

The remarks came as Pakistan and Britain held their annual counterterrorism dialogue in Islamabad on November 4, reviewing bilateral and multilateral cooperation against terrorism.

Pakistan continues mediation efforts between US and Iran

The Foreign Ministry also reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, warning that regional disputes must be resolved through negotiations rather than military action.

Andrabi said Pakistan had facilitated direct engagement between Washington and Tehran, which had not held talks with each other for 47 years, culminating in the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

He said Pakistan would continue working with regional partners, including Qatar and other countries involved in mediation, to promote a peaceful resolution.

Responding to questions about reports of possible renewed military strikes against Iran, the spokesperson said peace and stability in the region remained Pakistan's primary concern.

He also declined to comment directly on speculation about threats to use nuclear weapons against Iran, describing such threats as a serious matter.

"Negotiations and mediation processes sometimes take longer," he said, adding that political dialogue and diplomacy remained the only viable way forward.

Pakistan's diplomatic engagement with Iran continued on November 5, when Dar held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two discussed bilateral relations and regional and international developments.

Dar also spoke with Oman's Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi on the same day, focusing on regional stability and diplomatic efforts.

Pakistan secures support for three UN resolutions

On the multilateral front, Pakistan announced diplomatic gains at the United Nations General Assembly's First Committee, which deals with disarmament and international security.

Three resolutions sponsored by Pakistan were adopted on November 3.

A resolution on conventional arms control at regional and subregional levels received 180 votes in favour, while a proposal on confidence-building measures in regional and subregional contexts was adopted without a vote.

A third resolution calling for effective international arrangements to protect non-nuclear-weapon states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons received 122 votes, with none against.

Pakistan noted that India and Israel were the only two countries to oppose the resolution on conventional arms control.

The spokesperson said the overwhelming support demonstrated international recognition of the importance of regional military restraint, balanced defence capabilities and confidence-building measures.

In another diplomatic development, the UN Security Council adopted by consensus on November 5 a Pakistan-initiated presidential statement highlighting the role of diplomacy during active hostilities.

The statement emphasized mediation, diplomatic engagement and maintaining communication channels to facilitate ceasefires, de-escalation and lasting political settlements.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye discuss regional security

Pakistan also held consultations with Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia under the R4 diplomatic framework in Istanbul on October 23.

The foreign ministers discussed Palestine, Yemen, the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

They called for an immediate end to violence in Gaza, unhindered humanitarian assistance and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The ministers also expressed concern over Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb.

In a separate meeting, the four countries consulted their counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom on regional security challenges and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.

Pakistan also condemned Houthi ballistic missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including areas near the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, and reaffirmed its solidarity with the kingdom.

Singapore, China and UK strengthen bilateral engagement

Pakistan also stepped up diplomatic engagement with Asian and Western partners during the past two weeks.

Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan visited Islamabad on October 30, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Discussions focused on trade, investment, agriculture, infrastructure, digital technology, cybersecurity and climate resilience.

The two countries also exchanged a memorandum of understanding on disaster management.

Chinese Communist Party International Department Minister Liu Haixing visited Islamabad on November 1 for his first official visit to Pakistan.

During the visit, Dar and Liu co-chaired a symposium on governance and political party cooperation, reaffirming the importance of political exchanges in strengthening the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

Pakistan and China also held their third round of foreign ministry spokespersons' dialogue on October 26, focusing on media cooperation, strategic communication and public diplomacy.

Pakistan addresses Iran border disruptions

The Foreign Ministry also acknowledged disruptions to movement along the Pakistan-Iran border following security incidents and clashes in the area.

Responding to questions about restrictions affecting religious pilgrims travelling to Iran, Andrabi said there was no general ban on land travel but acknowledged that security concerns had disrupted movement.

He said the government would seek further information from the relevant authorities regarding cross-border trade disruptions.

The spokesperson also confirmed that an LNG carrier carrying a shipment destined for Karachi had been struck by projectiles while sailing through the Persian Gulf.

The vessel, Al Maida, registered in the Marshall Islands and operated by QatarEnergy, was hit while travelling through international waters near the Strait of Hormuz.

It was carrying 25 crew members, including Pakistani nationals. No injuries were reported, although the incident caused a small fire onboard.

The vessel subsequently returned safely to Qatar, while Pakistani authorities coordinated with relevant parties to establish further details.

Pakistan says Kartarpur Corridor remains open

On relations with India, Pakistan reiterated its readiness to facilitate Sikh and Hindu pilgrims visiting religious sites across the country.

The spokesperson said Pakistan issued 9,318 visas to Indian religious pilgrims in 2025, including 9,070 for Sikhs and 248 for Hindus. A further 4,002 visas were issued to Sikh pilgrims during the first half of 2026.

Pakistan is also preparing to welcome pilgrims for the 557th birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, later this month.

Andrabi said the Kartarpur Corridor, which provides visa-free access to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib for up to 5,000 pilgrims daily, remained operational from Pakistan's side.

However, India has suspended pilgrim movement through the corridor since May 7, 2025.

He said Pakistan was willing to consider issuing a visa to the chief minister of India's Punjab state if he wished to visit the country, although permission to travel would depend on the Indian government.

The spokesperson also rejected suggestions that Pakistan had imposed a general visa ban on Indian nationals.

Separately, Pakistan confirmed receiving India's invitation to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Cultural and Civilizational Dialogue scheduled for November 20-22 in New Delhi. A decision on participation would be made after consultations with the relevant institutions.

The briefing also covered Pakistan's efforts to safeguard its water security, with Dar chairing a high-level meeting on November 4 to review the legal, diplomatic and technical dimensions of the issue.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the government would continue pursuing diplomatic engagement, regional cooperation and multilateral initiatives to address security challenges and promote stability.