Assalamu Alaikum - Pakistan calls Afghanistan border clashes a bilateral matter, welcomes Saudi call for calm
Assalamu Alaikum. Pakistan has described the recent border skirmishes with Afghanistan as a matter to be settled between the two countries and welcomed Saudi Arabia’s push for stability and de-escalation.
Tensions have risen in recent years, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of sheltering fighters from the banned TTP and the Baloch Liberation Army who then carry out cross-border attacks; Kabul denies allowing its territory to be used against others. The clashes that began last Saturday night killed dozens on both sides before a 48-hour truce was agreed on Wednesday and ended Friday afternoon.
At his weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stressed that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are longtime close allies who respect each other’s sovereignty. He pointed to the recent Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) as a sign of that trust and said Pakistan appreciates Saudi Arabia’s traditional diplomatic call for calm.
The Foreign Office also noted that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar took a phone call from Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who praised Pakistan’s efforts for peace and highlighted the need for collective steps to keep the region stable. The Saudi side had earlier urged all parties to show restraint, avoid escalation, and seek dialogue to protect security and stability.
The SMDA, signed in Riyadh on Sept. 18 during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit, formalized long-standing security ties and states that aggression against one would be treated as aggression against both. The Pakistani spokesperson reiterated that the border matter is bilateral and that Pakistan has the capacity to address and resolve it, while Saudi Arabia’s balanced stance supports regional efforts to avoid escalation.
May Allah grant peace and ease tensions in the region. Insha'Allah cooler heads will prevail.
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