Islamabad – The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has strongly rejected what it described as a misleading and distorted statement issued by an Afghan Taliban spokesperson about recent discussions held in Istanbul. The ministry said the Taliban claims misrepresented the facts of the dialogue and did not reflect Pakistan’s consistent position on cross-border terrorism.
Officials noted that Pakistan repeatedly stressed the need for the arrest of terrorists operating from Afghan soil during the Istanbul talks and that when certain allegations were raised by the Afghan side, Pakistan offered to take custody of the individuals in question. The ministry underscored that Pakistan’s stance on combating militancy and securing its borders is clear, documented, and longstanding.
The government emphasised that any handover of suspects must occur through designated border entry points and follow legal and procedural norms. The ministry called assertions to the contrary baseless and misleading, saying such Taliban claims run counter to established facts and bilateral practices for lawful transfers.
The statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and cooperation while making it plain that misinformation and false narratives about its policies will not be tolerated. Islamabad said it will continue to press for accountability for those who use Afghan territory to threaten stability in Pakistan and the wider region.
