By The South Asia Times

Islamabad - Pakistan has issued a firm warning to India regarding its continued support for terrorism in the region, while signaling that the ceasefire with Afghanistan is under severe strain due to repeated cross-border attacks.

In a press briefing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tahir Andarabi highlighted documented evidence of Indian involvement in terrorist attacks within Pakistan, underscoring that the May 2025 conflict had demonstrated the professionalism and resolve of the Pakistani armed forces in defending the country.

The spokesperson condemned recent remarks by Indian officials as “highly inflammatory, baseless, and irresponsible,” describing them as part of a propaganda campaign aimed at deflecting attention from India’s destabilizing actions in the region. “Pakistan believes in coexistence, dialogue, and diplomacy. However, it stands united and resolute in safeguarding its interests and sovereignty,” the spokesperson said. Evidence of India’s support for terrorism, including operations like the Jaffar Express attack and other incidents in Balochistan, has been shared with international organizations and counterterrorism bodies.

On Afghanistan, the spokesperson addressed a five-point joint declaration (fatwa) adopted by over 1,000 Afghan scholars in Kabul, which warned that military operations beyond Afghanistan’s borders would be considered violations of state orders.

While welcoming the declaration as a positive step, Pakistan stressed that written assurances from the Afghan Taliban leadership are still necessary to prevent their territory from being used by groups such as TTP, FAK, and FAH for attacks in Pakistan.

The spokesperson emphasized that while Pakistan has facilitated the flow of humanitarian aid into Afghanistan, the Afghan Taliban regime has resisted trade and aid, a refusal described as “unprecedented” given the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people.

The briefing also highlighted the recent official visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to Pakistan from 8-9 December 2025. President Subianto, who was invited by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, held delegation-level talks covering the full spectrum of bilateral relations. Eight memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed, covering higher education, scholarships, small and medium business facilitation, national archives, narcotics control, health, and halal products. Defense cooperation and regional security were also key areas of discussion, with the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces meeting President Subianto to further explore military collaboration.

Pakistan conferred its highest civilian honor, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, on President Subianto, reflecting the depth of bilateral ties.

The Joint Statement issued at the conclusion of the visit commemorated 75 years of Pakistan-Indonesia relations, calling for expanded diplomatic, economic, and inter-parliamentary cooperation, removal of trade barriers, and enhanced collaboration in the services sector, Islamic finance, and halal food industry. Both sides also exchanged views on regional issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the humanitarian situation in Palestine.

The spokesperson also noted Pakistan’s active engagement with multilateral partners on regional security and humanitarian issues. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister held telephone conversations with counterparts in Iran and Saudi Arabia, discussing bilateral ties and regional developments. On Gaza, Pakistan, along with Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, emphasized the importance of keeping the Rafah crossing fully operational and allowing humanitarian aid to flow unimpeded.

Regarding Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the right of self-determination for Kashmiris and highlighted ongoing human rights violations in Indian-administered territory, including arbitrary arrests, detentions, house demolitions, and harassment of human rights defenders. The United Nations and other international bodies remain actively engaged on this issue, and Pakistan continues to provide moral, diplomatic, and political support to the Kashmiri people.

The spokesperson addressed concerns about Israel supplying drones to India, noting that the use of such equipment against Pakistan through Afghanistan could not be ruled out, given India’s documented support for terrorist groups in Pakistan. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s preparedness to respond to threats to its security and strategic stability, emphasizing that all options remain available to safeguard national interests.

On economic and defense developments, the spokesperson welcomed a $686 million U.S. package for the upgrade of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, describing it as part of ongoing defense cooperation. He also noted recent U.S. investments in Reko Diq, Balochistan, which are expected to generate employment and strengthen economic ties.

Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and regional connectivity was further emphasized, including support for reviving SAARC with the inclusion of countries such as Iran and China. The spokesperson regretted India’s repeated obstruction of SAARC processes but welcomed any initiatives aimed at regional cooperation, including potential new frameworks involving Bangladesh.

In conclusion, the Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance: India’s destabilizing actions and support for terrorism will not be tolerated, guarantees from the Afghan Taliban regime are required to prevent cross-border attacks, and ties with Indonesia will continue to be strengthened across economic, defense, and cultural domains. Pakistan remains committed to dialogue and diplomacy but underscored its readiness to protect sovereignty, security, and regional stability in the face of external threats.