The Foreign Office has expressed concerns that the presence of lethal weapons could be a security concern for Pakistan.

In a regular press briefing at the FO, Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan’s concerns have been relayed to all friendly countries including the United States.

Responding to US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby’s recent statement, Baloch added that Pakistan was calling attention to the issue instead of pointing fingers.

She added that Pakistan enjoys a deep relationship over security matters with the US and concerns over terrorism had be made known to allies.

Baloch also said that the Torkham border is closed over security concerns and will only be reopened after there is a positive development.

She also added that Pakistan had told Afghanistan about its security concerns over the Torkham border.

Kirby’s statement

In a recent press briefing, Kirby had strongly reacted to a claim that weapons left behind by US forces in Afghanistan had fallen into the hands of the terror outfits proscribed by Pakistan.

“There was no equipment left behind by American forces,” Kirby said, adding that the little equipment that had been left was made unusable.

However, he added that some equipment that was handed over to the Afghan army might have fallen into the hands of terrorists.

“The equipment that people are saying the Americans left behind, that was equipment that was transferred well in advance of our departure to the Afghan National Security Forces.”