Pakistan on Thursday said India’s reaction to the recent Balochistan attack and Islamabad’s subsequent counterterrorism actions “effectively corroborates” Pakistan’s long-standing position regarding New Delhi’s involvement in destabilising activities inside the country. At the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan “completely rejects” the statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticising Pakistan’s actions taken in self-defence. “In fact, the statement vindicates our stance that India continues to aid and abet terrorism in Pakistan through its support for BLA, Fitna Al Hind and other terrorist organisations operating in the region,” he said. The spokesperson maintained that Pakistan possesses “concrete evidence” of India’s involvement in sponsoring and abetting terrorism, adding that recent statements issued by the Indian MEA, including those following terrorist attacks in Balochistan, provide “additional, circumstantial evidence of India’s complicity in promoting terrorism in Pakistan.” Read More: Pakistan carries out strikes along Afghan border to target ‘seven terrorist camps’ His remarks came in response to a question about India’s reaction after Pakistan carried out precision strikes against what it described as terrorist hideouts inside Afghanistan following recent attacks in Bajaur and Bannu. Samjhauta Express anniversary Responding to a separate question, Andrabi said Pakistan marked the 19th anniversary of the 2007 Samjhauta Express attack with “severe disappointment” over what he termed India’s failure to ensure justice for the victims. The attack had claimed 68 lives, including 44 Pakistani nationals. He criticised the acquittal of the accused in the case and said the families of the victims were still awaiting justice nearly two decades later. PM’s Qatar visit Briefing reporters on diplomatic engagements, Andrabi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook an official visit to Qatar from February 23-24 at the invitation of the Amir of Qatar. The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral ties and expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of relations, underscoring the need to enhance economic cooperation and elevate the partnership to a higher strategic level. Regional developments, including Afghanistan, also came under discussion, he added. OIC session Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is currently in Saudi Arabia to attend an extraordinary ministerial session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Executive Committee. The meeting has been convened to discuss Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank, including settlement expansion and attempts at annexation. Andrabi said Pakistan would share its perspective on the latest developments and reiterate its support for the Palestinian cause. Afghanistan situation On tensions with Afghanistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan would respond “swiftly and strongly” in exercise of its right to self-defence against terrorist threats emanating from Afghan soil. He said the matter is being raised at bilateral and multilateral forums, including relevant UN Security Council counterterrorism mechanisms. Regarding the safety of Pakistani diplomats in Kabul, Andrabi said Islamabad expects “foolproof and complete security” from Afghan authorities and reiterated that Pakistan ensures the safety of Afghan diplomats and nationals within its territory. “We remain seized of the threat, and our forces remain vigilant and working to ensure the full security of our people,” he added.