Afghanistan-based | Pakistan

• FO rejects Taliban minister’s criticism, defends border operations • Says no pause in expulsion of Afghans after deadly earthquake • Spox avoids addressing Trump’s remarks, says SCO promotes multilateralism, peace ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday emphasised the seriousness of the threat posed to regional peace and stability by Afghanistan-based terrorist groups, calling it a common challenge that required collaborative efforts. “Groups like Fitna Al-Khwarij represent a common threat to the peace and stability of our region, necessitating collective action to counter their malign influence,” Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan said at a weekly media briefing. The government uses the term to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist group. The spokesman was responding to questions about reported Pakistani strikes across the border and comments by Taliban acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob, who accused Pakistan of blaming Afghanistan for its own security shortcomings. Pakistan has lo...