Daily Times

ISLAMABAD – Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah has said that it is too early to say anything final regarding who was behind the Bacha Khan University massacre as the investigations against terrorists and their facilitators involved in deadly carnage are under way and strict action will be taken against them.

In his weekly briefing, the Foreign Office spokesperson said that the investigation was under way and would be completed shortly. “It is premature to draw any conclusion as to who may be behind the Bacha Khan University attack before investigations are complete,” he said.

He said that Pakistan would take strict action against terrorists and their facilitators involved in the attack in the light of complete investigation. “Initial investigations reveal that attackers were in contact with their handlers operating from Afghanistan” the spokesperson said.

Following the Bacha Khan University tragedy, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Asim Bajwa said on Wednesday that the attackers were in touch with their handlers in Afghanistan. “They [attackers] were in touch with a phone number from Afghanistan,” he briefed the journalists in Corps Commanders Headquarters Peshawar.

The ISPR director general said that the SIMs they used were Afghan made, adding that a mobile phone kept ringing even after the attacker had been killed. He said that two mobile phone were also recovered which were under surveillance and data would be checked by NADRA.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said that the terror attack had further strengthened resolve of Pakistani nation for elimination of terrorism from the country. He said that Pakistan maintains contacts with the Afghan government at various levels to find a solution to different issues related to the security

He said that Pakistan desires peace in Afghanistan and the recent Heart of Asia conference in Islamabad was a big step in that direction. He said that meetings of four-nation group on Afghanistan would continue and all issues related to the reconciliation process involving the Afghan government and Taliban would be resolved within its framework.

– Indo-Pak talks –

To a question, Khalilullah said that secretary-level talks between Pakistan and India were going to be held in near future and both sides were in touch on that count.

The secretary-level talks between the two nuclear armed neighbours were expected to start in mid-January but were rescheduled in view of the Pathankot Indian Air Base attack. Pakistan had condemned the incident which killed seven Indian security personnel. Pakistan had assured help to probe into the tragedy. “The meeting is going to be held in near future and both the sides remain in touch in this regard,” the spokesperson said.

To a question about any information about sending a team to Pathankot, he said that the Ministry of Interior should be contacted on any issue relating to an investigation into the incident.

– Saudi-Iran tension –

He said there was positive response from Saudi Arabia and Iran to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s initiative to defuse tension between the two countries. He explained Pakistan was in touch with the two countries for the appointment of focal persons to advance process for easing tension.

He said that the purpose of the prime minister’s visit was to reduce tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran and both the sides had given a positive response.

He said Pakistan welcomes implementation of nuclear deal between Iran and six major world powers. He said lifting of sanctions on Iran would also help Pakistan promote economic and trade relations with Iran.

To a question, the foreign office spokesman said Pakistan and the US share objectives for peace and stability in the region as the two countries enjoy good relations and had long standing cooperation in various fields. He said the Pakistan was in touch with the US authorities on several issues including Coalition Support Fund.

At the outset of the briefing, Fateha was offered for the martyred of Bacha Khan University.