Pak Responded by Hitting 7 Locations of BLA Terror Group Inside Iran, FO Spokesperson
Pak Responded by Hitting 7 Locations of BLA Terror Group Inside Iran, FO Spokesperson
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00:00 military strikes against terrorist hideouts in the Tano-Balochistan province of Iran.
00:08 A number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation codenamed
00:13 "Marg Par Sarmachar."
00:17 Over the last several years in our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared
00:22 its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani-origin
00:27 terrorists calling themselves "Sarmachars" on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran.
00:36 Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities
00:42 of those terrorists.
00:44 However, because of lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called "Sarmachars"
00:51 continue to operate against Pakistan with impunity.
00:57 This morning's action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale
01:03 terrorist activities against Pakistan by these terrorists.
01:08 This action is a manifestation of Pakistan's unflinching resolve to protect and defend
01:15 its national security against all threats.
01:18 The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism
01:25 of the armed forces of Pakistan.
01:30 Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security
01:35 of its people, which is sacrosanct, inviolable, and sacred.
01:41 Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic
01:46 of Iran.
01:47 The sole objective of today's act was in pursuit of Pakistan's own security and national interest,
01:54 which is paramount and cannot be compromised.
01:58 As a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan upholds the principles
02:04 and purposes of the UN Charter, including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member
02:09 states.
02:11 Guided by these principles and in exercise of our legitimate rights within international
02:16 law, Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged
02:22 under any pretext or circumstances.
02:28 Iran is a brotherly country, and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection
02:33 for the people of Iran.
02:36 We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges, including
02:42 the menace of terrorism, and will continue to endeavor to find joint solutions.
02:50 The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwar Abdullah Qaqer, who is currently in Davos to attend
02:55 the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, has decided to cut short his visit
03:01 in view of the ongoing developments.
03:05 At the WEF, the Prime Minister participated in the informal gathering of the world economic
03:10 leaders and delivered a keynote address at an event titled "Trade, Tax, Trillion Dollar
03:17 Promise" and held meetings with participating leaders on the sidelines.
03:24 Foreign Minister Jalila Basjilani is in Kampala, Uganda, to participate in the 19th Summit
03:29 of the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement and the 3rd South Summit
03:34 of the Group of 77 in China.
03:37 His participation in these important summits is a reflection of the high priority Pakistan
03:43 attaches to promoting cooperation among the global South, including on issues related
03:48 to sustainable development.
03:51 The Foreign Minister has also cut short his visit in light of the recent developments.
03:59 The 14th of January marks a painful milestone for the human conscience.
04:04 It was the 100th day of Israel's war in Palestine, which has taken over 24,000 lives in Gaza,
04:12 a toll that is escalating with each passing day.
04:16 The staggering number includes almost 10,000 children and over 6,700 women.
04:25 The indiscriminate violence by Israel has to end.
04:29 Humanity must prevail.
04:31 The international community should play its part in saving the people of Palestine from
04:36 the barbaric acts of the occupation authorities.
04:42 The month of January carries painful memories of three massacres committed by the Indian
04:48 forces in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir during the 1990s.
04:54 Over 50 innocent people were martyred and hundreds were injured when Indian troops had
05:00 opened indiscriminate fire on peaceful protesters in the Gokadal area of Srinagar on 21 January
05:09 1990.
05:12 A few days later, on 25 January 1990, at least 21 unarmed Kashmiris were martyred by the
05:19 Indian troops in North Kashmir's Handwara town.
05:24 On 27 January 1994, a day after India's Republic Day, Indian troops massacred 27 civilians
05:32 in Kupwara town.
05:35 We remember the martyrs of these massacres and pay rich tributes to their sacrifices.
05:42 The perpetrators of these massacres should be held accountable.
05:49 Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri
05:53 brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute
05:59 in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
06:02 I thank you.
06:03 Before we start the Q&A questions, I would like to underline that given the developments
06:22 that are taking place, there is a lot going on and we won't have a lot of time for our
06:30 briefing.
06:31 So I would request all of you to have one question when you ask this question.
06:36 Please don't repeat a question which somebody else has asked so that we can cover more people.
06:43 If you have more than one question, then it would be my prerogative to answer the questions
06:49 that I like.
06:51 So with that, let's start with Khalid Sahib.
06:58 I would not like to indulge in speculation.
07:26 Pakistan has said that we would like to have peaceful relations with all countries in the
07:32 region, including with our neighbor Iran.
07:37 We have also said that Pakistan's security and sovereignty is sanctioned and Pakistan
07:47 remains ready and is willing to protect itself.
08:03 Thank you ma'am.
08:04 As there was an earlier statement made by you that Pakistan carried out strikes, would
08:08 you like to share details of the strike, whether it was through regular Pakistan Air Force
08:13 or through drones or missiles and what are the details of casualties?
08:18 It is my understanding that these details will be coming soon from ISPR, so I will not
08:25 indulge in operational details.
08:28 The Irani state media has recently reported that they have also sought explanation from
08:48 Pakistan, although they have attacked it first and we have retaliated.
08:49 But the state media is saying that they have sought some kind of explanation from Pakistan.
08:50 Have you received any kind of communication from Iran?
08:55 As you know, this incident took place this morning and at this point I am not aware of
09:03 any contact that took place in the last two or three hours.
09:08 Yes, our friend from Iran.
09:10 There are some reports regarding some countries trying to de-escalate the tension between
09:17 two brotherly countries.
09:22 Thank you very much.
09:23 As I said earlier, Pakistan considers the people of Iran as our friends and brothers
09:34 and we have no interest in escalating any situation and we hope that our adversaries
09:56 understand this and we also believe that acts like the one which took place a couple of
10:04 nights ago create difficulties and give the adversaries of our friendship the pretext
10:19 to create more difficulties in the region.
10:24 Ali Hussain from Business Recorder.
10:28 Iran violated Pakistan's sovereignty and carried out strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistan in
10:39 response retaliated and carried out the same strikes inside Iran.
10:46 What next?
10:48 Is there any channel of communication between the two countries currently to de-escalate
10:56 the situation or where both the countries are heading towards?
11:01 Thank you.
11:02 As I said earlier, Pakistan has always emphasized dialogue and cooperation and we have always
11:15 chosen parts of dialogue.
11:20 We also believe that dialogue and cooperation is essential for confronting common challenges,
11:29 including the menace of terrorism.
11:32 We would like to continue to engage with our neighbors to combat this menace and to ensure
11:49 that peace prevails.
11:52 We will continue to engage with our neighbors, including Iran.
12:06 We are talking about Iran, with our neighbor Iran.
12:13 We will continue to engage with our neighbor Iran to ensure that peace prevails and that
12:25 the two countries make concerted and coordinated efforts to combat the threat of terrorism.
12:39 Thank you.
12:43 Yes, Anas.
12:48 Has there been any effort for a third party mediation by regional stakeholders?
12:55 And if so, what is Pakistan's response?
12:57 Any countries that you would want to mention?
13:06 I am not aware of third party mediation, as you mentioned.
13:14 Pakistan and Iran do have several channels of communication and at this point I am not
13:21 aware of any third party stepping forward in this context.
13:27 China has urged West India to offer Pakistan and Iran to exercise same.
13:52 And earlier they also mediated to explain the situation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
14:01 As I just said, I am not aware of any mediation by any third party that has taken place or
14:14 is on the horizon.
14:17 Thank you.
14:22 Yes, Rashida.
14:28 I am not aware of any third party that has taken place or is on the horizon.
14:56 I am not an expert in Persian language, so I cannot comment on how interesting it is.
15:11 But this is a code name, which is, as you know, it was an intelligence-based operation
15:16 and our military authorities and ISPR would be better positioned to respond to this question.
15:24 Yes, Madam.
15:27 Pakistan, for the last several months and years, has been in contact with Iran.
15:53 And we have shared with them concrete evidence of the presence of these terrorist hideouts
16:03 inside Iran.
16:06 And that is why we are very confident of the statement that we have made.
16:14 For further details, please wait for an advice from ISPR.
16:18 Yes, Sumaira.
16:21 Yes, I am listening.
16:28 Yes, I am listening.
16:53 Yes, I am listening.
17:21 Yes, I am listening.
17:28 Yes, I am listening.
17:40 Yes, I am listening.
17:52 Yes, I am listening.
18:04 Yes, I am listening.
18:19 Yes, I am listening.