ISLAMABAD: Pakistan calling its reference in the Indo-US joint statement as “one-sided, misleading, and contrary to diplomatic norms” said that it could not cover up India’s sponsorship of terrorism, subversion, and extrajudicial assassinations in the region and beyond.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, at his weekly press briefing, said that Pakistan’s reference had been included notwithstanding its counterterrorism cooperation with the US.
He said that such references could not shift international attention from the stark reality of India being a safe haven for perpetrators of hate crimes against Muslims and other minorities.
“The joint statement fails to address India’s non-compliance with UN Security Council resolutions, which is a key source of tension and instability in the region, nor does it take cognizance of the grim human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Regrettably, this amounts to an abdication of international responsibility,” he remarked.
The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to contributing constructively to regional and global efforts to promote peace and stability and bringing the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion.
He also expressed Pakistan’s concerns over the planned transfer of advanced military technologies to India as it could cause military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability.
He urged the international partners to take a holistic and objective view of the issues of peace and security in South Asia and refrain from endorsing positions that are one-sided and divorced from ground realities.
Spokesperson Shafqat Khan condemned the Israeli prime minister’s recent statement about the establishment of a state for Palestinian people in Saudi Arabia calling it “irresponsible, provocative, and thoughtless” offending and disregarding the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an independent state on their own historical and legitimate territory.”
“Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and any attempt to undermine Saudi Arabia’s unwavering position and misrepresentation of its commitment to the Palestinian cause is deeply regrettable,” he stated.
He said that in his telephonic conversations with counterparts from Iran, Egypt, Turkiye, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and UAE, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar termed the proposal to displace the people of Gaza deeply troubling and unjust and conveyed Pakistan’s support for convening an extraordinary OIC meeting of Foreign Ministers to deliberate upon this issue.
Apprising the media of a boat tragedy in Libya involving Pakistani nationals, he said that so far 16 dead bodies had been recovered, and the Pakistani nationality of the victims had been confirmed based on their passports.
“There are 37 survivors, including one in the hospital and 33 in police custody. Around 10 Pakistanis were reported missing in the accident, and three of the survivors are in Tripoli and are being looked after by the embassy.”
The spokesperson expressed concern over the death of two Kashmiri youths in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir due to the high-handed approach of Indian forces, and suicide by another after severe torture by police in Kathua District and coerced confession of links with militants despite being innocent.
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