India’s network of espionage & extra territorial killings has gone global: FO Spokesperson
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (SABAH): Pakistan has made a formal request to join BRICS, an important group of developing countries.
This was confirmed by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday.
The FO spokesperson said we have taken this decision after having noted the BRICS related developments in Johannesburg.
She said by joining the organization, Pakistan can play an important role in furthering international cooperation and revitalization of inclusive multilateralism.
She hoped that the BRICS will move forward on Pakistan’s request in line with its commitment for inclusive multilateralism.
The spokesperson said Pakistan enjoys friendly ties with most members of the BRICS as well as the newly invited group of countries.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan is an ardent supporter of multilateralism and is member of several multilateral organizations. She said the country has played an important role for global peace and development.
When asked about the conspiracy foiled by the United States to assassinate a Sikh leader, the spokesperson recalled that Pakistan has long been a target of India’s state sponsored terrorism, subversion and espionage.
She said India’s network of espionage and extra territorial killings has gone global. Condemning and expressing concerns over it, she said India’s irresponsible and reckless conduct is a clear violation of international laws.
Responding to a question about the banning of Halal Food in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said this is yet another manifestation of increasing Islamophobia in India. She said the banning of Halal Food is affront to the rights and freedoms of Muslims in India.
To a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan is concerned over the terror threat emanating from Afghanistan. She said we expect the Afghan authorities to take immediate action against the terrorist entities so that they do not pose any threat to us.
She said that this week Pakistan is holding separate Bilateral Political Consultations with Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe), Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan is leading the Pakistan delegation for these talks.
These consultations will be an occasion to exchange views with our friends in the region on a wide range of issues of mutual interest and to explore further engagement and cooperation especially in the areas of environment, information technology, energy, education, and trade and investment. It will also be an opportunity to discuss important regional and global developments and key issues on the multilateral agenda including climate change.
The Bilateral Political Consultations with Denmark took place on 21 November 2023 in which the Danish side was led by Under Secretary for Foreign Policy, Anders Tang Friborg. The two sides extensively reviewed the entire ambit of bilateral relations covering political relations, trade and investment, climate change, green energy and people-to-people contacts. Expressing satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, the two sides agreed to further enhance dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation.
FO spokesperson said that Pakistan-Sweden Bilateral Political Consultations are being held today in Stokholm while the BPC with Finland will take place tomorrow in Helsinki. Head of the Department for Asia and the Pacific, Oscar Schlyter, and Director General of Global Affairs, Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt, will lead the Swedish delegation. The talks with Finland in Helsinki will be led by Director General, Department for the Americas and Asia, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Jari Sinkari.
She said that like the rest of the world, Pakistan impatiently awaits the truce that is expected to come into effect tomorrow. It presents an opportunity to establish a humanitarian corridor facilitating the delivery of food, water, fuel and other humanitarian aid to the besieged people of Gaza.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said we believe that a durable and sustained ceasefire is critical for bringing the much needed relief to the Palestinian people and to respond to the immense humanitarian needs in Gaza that include extensive and robust humanitarian supplies, urgent medical aid to the injured and shelter to those who have been displaced as a result of indiscriminate and inhumane bombing campaign by Israeli forces.
The spokesperson said Pakistan supports the call for an international peace conference on Palestinian question. She said we believe that peace in the region can only be achieved with the implementation of the relevant UN resolutions calling for a two-state solution, culminating in a viable, sovereign and geographically-contiguous Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
She said that the International Children’s Day was observed earlier this week. It is a reminder of the vulnerability of children in armed conflict. As stated by the Executive Director of UNICEF Gaza is today the most dangerous place in the world to be a child. Since October 7, nearly 6,000 children have been killed accounting for 40 percent of the deaths in Gaza. We call for the protection of children of Gaza who are the prime victims of the indiscriminate bombing campaign and will live the rest of their lives affected by immense loss and trauma.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said we must also not forget the plight of children in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who are living in an environment of violence and oppression. Heavy deployment of armed personnel and unbridled use of force have created an environment for trauma and distress the children of IIOJK. About 100,000 children have been orphaned, children have been arbitrary arrested, killed, injured, and even blinded because of the use of pellet guns by Indian forces. India should immediately end its oppression of IIOJK and fulfill its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar will undertake an official visit to Dubai, United Arab Emirates to participate in the World Climate Action Summit, scheduled to take place on 1-2 December 2023, as part of the UN Climate Change Conference 2023 (COP 28). Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and the Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination will be part of the delegation.
She said that Prime Minister Kakar’s programme in Dubai includes participation in the high-level events at the Summit and bilateral meetings with counterparts from participating countries.
She said that the Prime Minister will present Pakistan’s vision for climate change and call for implementing common climate commitments across all areas, including mitigation, adaptation, climate finance, and loss and damage. He will underline the centrality in the climate change debate of the established principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities. He will also emphasize the need for closer global cooperation for building climate resilience.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that at COP28, Pakistan will work with other developing countries and seek operationalization of the ‘loss and damage’ fund for all climate vulnerable developing countries, as well as meaningful outcome of the first Global Stock take (GST). It will also reiterate its call for the developed countries to urgently and fully deliver on the long overdue goal of mobilizing US$ 100 billion per year as climate finance for developing countries.
She said that Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani will visit, Belgium to attend the International Conference on a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling being held on 28 November 2023. He will undertake this visit at the invitation of the European Commissioner for Migration of Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson. The conference, to be held at the ministerial level, will feature the participation of EU Member States, the European Parliament, EU Justice and Home Affairs agencies, partner countries of origin and transit, as well as various international organizations.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that at the conference, the Foreign Minister will shed light on the measures undertaken by Pakistan to mitigate irregular migration and present legal pathways of migration as a viable alternative within the framework of the recently launched Migration and Mobility Dialogue with the European Union.