FO Blames Taliban for Turkish Delegation Delay – Pakistan Clarifies Border Policy & Humanitarian Aid Decision
Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has issued a detailed explanation regarding its recent decision to open specific border channels for the United Nations humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The statement also addressed delays in the arrival of a Turkish mediation delegation and clarified Pakistan’s stance on border closures, trade, security concerns, and relations with the Afghan Taliban.
The weekly media briefing covered several sensitive geopolitical issues, including humanitarian aid delivery, cross-border tensions, Taliban responses, misinformation about spyware, and Pakistan’s diplomatic concerns with India and the treatment of Muslims. This article provides a complete breakdown of the FO briefing, using search-friendly terms such as Pakistan FO latest news, Taliban Pakistan relations, Afghan border closure Pakistan, Turkey mediation effort, UN aid to Afghanistan, Pakistan humanitarian assistance policy, and Pakistan Afghanistan tensions 2025.
Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan: Pakistan Opens Border Channels
Pakistan confirmed that it will allow the UN to transport humanitarian aid into Afghanistan through specific and controlled border channels, after receiving requests from major UN agencies including:
- World Food Programme (WFP)
- UNICEF
- UNFPA
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi explained that the move is not political but strictly humanitarian. Pakistan wants to ensure that ordinary Afghans receive food, medicine, and essential supplies, despite ongoing security tensions.
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Phased Movement of UN Aid – How the System Works
Pakistan has approved a three-phase mechanism to ensure smooth and secure delivery:
Phase 1 – Food Supplies
Containers transporting wheat, flour, pulses, and other essential food items will be allowed first.
Phase 2 – Medical and Pharmaceutical Goods
This includes life-saving medicines, medical equipment, and emergency health supplies.
Phase 3 – Education & Other Essential Goods
Items related to schooling, health infrastructure, and social welfare will be cleared in the final stage.
Pakistan emphasized that the process is designed for orderly movement, not for reopening borders for trade.
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Border Remains Closed for Trade & Regular Movement
Despite facilitating humanitarian assistance, Pakistan has not lifted its broader border restrictions.
Spokesperson Andrabi clarified that:
- Trade remains suspended
- General cross-border movement is not allowed
- Restrictions were imposed due to terrorist infiltrations from Afghanistan
He stressed that the restrictions were not against Afghan citizens, but for Pakistan’s security.
Taliban Misunderstood Pakistan’s Humanitarian Decision
Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid claimed that Afghanistan would not open its side unless Pakistan provided “firm guarantees.”
FO believes Kabul misinterpreted Pakistan’s move.
Andrabi said the Taliban may have assumed Pakistan was reopening the border for trade when it was only for UN humanitarian aid consignments.
He emphasized that:
“The Afghan spokesperson may not have understood the full nuance.”
Pakistan reiterated that humanitarian support does not change its security-based border policies.
Turkey’s Mediation Delegation Delayed – FO Blames Taliban
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier announced that Turkey would send a delegation to mediate between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban.
However, the team has not yet arrived.
Andrabi stated:
- Pakistan welcomes the Turkish mediation
- Pakistan is fully ready to receive the delegation
- Delay is not due to Pakistan
- The Taliban may not be cooperating
He said clearly:
“It is not attributable to Pakistan… You have to ask the Taliban regime.”
This reveals a serious communication gap between Islamabad and Kabul.
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FO Rejects Claims of Secret Talks with Taliban in Saudi Arabia
Media reports suggested that Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban held talks in Saudi Arabia.
FO spokesperson Andrabi dismissed these claims, saying:
- Pakistan has no information about such negotiations
- FO did not participate in any such talks
- Reports appear speculative
This indicates that direct communication channels are currently limited.
Taliban–India Engagement Concerns Pakistan
A UN report highlighted increased engagement between the Taliban government and India.
Pakistan acknowledged that such ties have existed historically, but expressed concern if cooperation becomes anti-Pakistan.
Key FO points:
- Pakistan is not against peaceful cooperation
- Problems arise only when India uses Afghanistan in a zero-sum policy against Pakistan
- Pakistan expects regional actors to avoid destabilizing strategies
FO Strongly Rejects Allegations of Using Israeli Spyware
Reports had claimed Pakistan may have used Israeli spyware technologies.
FO called the claims:
- “Rumor-mongering”
- “Disinformation”
- “Media speculation”
Andrabi firmly denied any cooperation between Pakistan and Israel on:
- Spyware
- Military tools
- Intelligence devices
This statement aimed to counter social media narratives and maintain diplomatic clarity.
Pakistan Condemns Babri Mosque Demolition – 33 Years On
Marking the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Mosque demolition in India, Pakistan issued a strong statement calling it a symbol of:
- Intolerance
- Religious discrimination
The FO urged India to:
- Protect Muslim heritage
- Promote tolerance
- End discriminatory practices
Pakistan reaffirmed its role in defending minorities and highlighting global religious freedoms.
Pakistan Working to Bring Back Nationals Stranded in Thailand & Myanmar
Andrabi confirmed that Pakistan’s embassies in Myanmar and Thailand are assisting:
- Detained Pakistanis
- Trafficking victims
- Stranded travelers
He said the priority is:
- Safe repatriation
- Prevention of future trafficking scams
The FO stressed that many Pakistanis fall victim to illegal job rackets, leading to detention abroad.
Pakistan’s Clear Message to the Taliban: Security Comes First
Throughout the briefing, FO highlighted:
- Pakistan supports Afghan people
- Humanitarian aid will continue
- Border closures will remain until terrorist threats decrease
- Pakistan is open to mediation but Taliban must cooperate
This demonstrates Pakistan’s dual approach:
Compassion for Afghan civilians, firm stance on security.
Conclusion
The Foreign Office’s detailed briefing showcases Pakistan’s efforts to maintain humanitarian commitments while safeguarding national security. The delay in the Turkish delegation highlights diplomatic challenges caused by the Taliban’s lack of cooperation. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to counter misinformation, manage regional tensions, and support stranded citizens abroad.
The situation reflects a complex regional landscape where security, diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and misinformation are deeply interconnected. As border tensions persist, Pakistan remains committed to facilitating UN humanitarian operations while seeking diplomatic clarity with Afghanistan.
FAQs — FO Blames Taliban for Turkish Delegation Delay
1. Why did Pakistan open specific border channels for Afghanistan?
Pakistan opened limited border channels only for UN humanitarian aid to help Afghan civilians with food, medicine, and essential goods.
2. Is the Pakistan–Afghanistan border fully open now?
No. The border remains closed for trade and regular movement due to security concerns related to terrorist infiltration.
3. Why has the Turkish mediation delegation not arrived yet?
Pakistan says the delay is because of the Taliban’s lack of cooperation, not Pakistan’s unwillingness.
4. Did Pakistan and the Taliban hold talks in Saudi Arabia?
No. The Foreign Office said it has no information about any such talks and denied participating in them.
5. Did Pakistan use Israeli spyware technology?
No. The FO strongly rejected these reports, calling them baseless rumors and disinformation.
