ISLAMABAD, Friday, July 11, 2025 (WNP): Pakistan is actively reinforcing its diplomatic engagements and voicing deep concerns over regional security and human rights violations, particularly in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Foreign Office said Friday.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan outlined key developments in Pakistan’s foreign relations, including multilateral diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and bilateral cooperation across continents.
He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar is currently leading Pakistan’s delegation at the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, where political and security challenges in the Asia-Pacific are under discussion. On the sidelines, Senator Dar met with his counterparts from Malaysia, Canada, Australia, Laos, Sri Lanka, Russia, the European Union, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom to deepen cooperation in trade, education, and culture.
Ambassador Khan also highlighted the visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasar Güler to Islamabad. Co-chairs of the Joint Commissions under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), the two sides reviewed progress across twelve standing committees and agreed to broaden collaboration in energy, trade, and investment.
Simultaneously, a Pakistani delegation led by Special Assistants to the Prime Minister, Ambassador Syed Tariq Fatemi and Haroon Akhtar Khan, met Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk in Moscow to explore cooperation in energy, agriculture, trade, and investment. The Spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s intent to build stronger ties with Russia and recognized its stabilizing role in global affairs.
In a key regional engagement, Pakistan hosted the inaugural round of Additional Secretary-level talks with Afghanistan in Islamabad on July 7. The discussions focused on trade, refugee repatriation, regional connectivity, and cross-border security. Ambassador Khan said Pakistan conveyed serious concerns over the presence of terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan and urged the Kabul government to take credible action against militant groups targeting Pakistan.
Regarding Pakistan’s engagement with Europe, Ambassador Khan reported the successful 9th round of Bilateral Political Consultations with Poland held in Warsaw on July 4, which covered areas like energy, mobility, defence, and education. The next round of talks is scheduled for 2026 in Islamabad.
The Spokesperson also announced that July 13 will be observed as the 94th Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Kashmir (Kashmir Martyrs Day), commemorating the 1931 killing of 22 Kashmiris in Srinagar. He condemned ongoing human rights violations in IIOJK, including the suppression of religious freedoms during Ashura and acts of humiliation against Kashmiri youth by Indian forces.
“Indian armed forces are operating with impunity — with a license to kill,” he said, urging the international community to take urgent notice of these violations.
Responding to Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s claims about attacking Pakistani airbases, the Spokesperson dismissed the remarks as “distortions of fact” and violations of international law. He recalled that Pakistan had previously downed Indian aircraft in self-defence and rejected any glorification of aggression.
On Afghanistan, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful regional order and urged Kabul to act responsibly in curbing cross-border threats.
When asked about newly declassified U.S. documents related to the Soviet-Afghan war, the Spokesperson remarked, “What is in the past is in the past,” and emphasized the country’s focus on future regional peace and cooperation.
On climate change, he reiterated Pakistan’s status as one of the most climate-vulnerable nations despite minimal emissions and called for greater international climate justice and financing for developing countries.
Responding to media queries on recent remarks by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari regarding possible extraditions, Ambassador Khan clarified: “He did not name anyone. The government’s position remains unchanged,” referring further inquiries to the party’s official spokesperson.
He also deferred comment on the status of U.S. aid under former President Donald Trump, stating only that dialogue between Islamabad and Washington remains active on all issues, including development and security cooperation.
Commenting on hypothetical global scenarios involving China, the Spokesperson declined to speculate but affirmed the strength of Pakistan-China relations, calling China “our iron brother and strategic partner.”
The briefing reflected Pakistan’s proactive diplomacy amidst evolving global and regional dynamics — balancing strategic interests, bilateral ties, and advocacy for human rights and peace.
