We are committed to providing full security to Chinese nationals, projects & institutions in Pakistan: Mumtaz Zahra Baloch

ISLAMABAD, Oct 31 (SABAH): Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has strongly rejected any offers or advice with regards to dialogue between Pakistan and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

At her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch reiterated that Pakistan has absolutely no interest in talks with terror groups, which are responsible for the killing of our civilians and security personnel.
She said Pakistan believes that such recommendations are affront to the people who have lost their loved ones due to the activities of TTP.

The Spokesperson said Afghan authorities have the primary responsibility to take action against the terror groups especially the TTP that are based in Afghanistan. She said we have also provided the Afghan authorities with concrete evidence in this regard.

The Spokesperson said Pakistan has brought to the attention of the world community towards India’s extra territorial and extra judicial activities. She hoped the international community will urge India to restrain from these activities in Pakistan and around the world.

Responding to a question, the Spokesperson said Chinese nationals are our valued guests who are making invaluable contributions to the development of Pakistan.

She said we are committed to providing full security to Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan. She said this commitment has been conveyed at the senior most levels of the Chinese leadership.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Doha, Qatar. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar is accompanying the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar and Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Prime Minister/Minister for Foreign Affairs. The focus of these meetings will be on bilateral cooperation in trade and investment and discussion on regional developments.

FO Spokesperson said that the Prime Minister arrived in Doha from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he attended the 8th Edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) themed “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow”.

In his address at the conference, the Prime Minister emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging investments in Artificial Intelligence, education, and health to drive human advancement. He stated that by investing in AI, Pakistan would enhance productivity by leveraging it for advancement of education and health, empowering future generations; and shaping a future that’s inclusive, innovative, and sustainable.

She said that the Prime Minister held a meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders assessed the ongoing bilateral engagements, especially in follow up to the decisions taken in previous high-level meetings held in Makkah and Riyadh in April 2024. They reaffirmed economic and strategic partnership between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the two leaders exchanged views on regional developments. The Prime Minister appreciated the Kingdom’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability in the Middle East.

She said that the Prime Minister also met with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh; Minister for Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Engineer Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih and Advisor at the Saudi Royal Court, Mohammad Bin Mazyad Al-Tuwaijri and entrepreneurs at the 8th Edition of FII Conference.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the Speaker of the Federation Council of Russia, Valentina Matvienko visited Pakistan from 27-29 October 2024 at the invitation of Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani. She held separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani. She also addressed the Senate of Pakistan. The visit is a manifestation of continuing engagement and dialogue between Pakistan and the Russian Federation at the leadership level. The two sides will continue to engage in bilateral parliamentary exchanges.

She said that Pakistan strongly condemns the recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley and Baalbek region resulting in the tragic loss of civilian lives, including women and children, and the displacement of over a million people. These airstrikes are a violation of Lebanon’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity; and constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch Pakistan also unequivocally condemns continuing Israeli assault against the people of Northern Gaza and the indiscriminate airstrike on Beit Lahiya which has resulted in the tragic loss of over a 100 Palestinian lives, including women and children.

She said that targeting densely populated residential areas without warning, day after day, with absolute impunity, reflects Israeli disdain for international law and human suffering. The siege of Gaza and uninterrupted Israeli attacks are piling on heaps of misery, devastation and death upon the already battered people of Gaza.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that at a time when the people of Palestine are in urgent need of humanitarian relief and assistance, Israeli attempts to dismantle the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) are unacceptable. Preventing UNRWA from carrying out its vital tasks is a manifestation of Israel’s systematic campaign to dehumanize the Palestinian people.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that we call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Palestine and Lebanon; protection of civilians; and unrestricted humanitarian access to those in urgent need. The international community must step in to end Israel’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinians in Gaza. We also urge the international community to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity.

FO Spokesperson said that Pakistan remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Lebanon and Palestine. Last week Pakistan sent 2 more planeloads of humanitarian aid to Lebanon. Thus far, four special cargo planes with essential humanitarian supplies have arrived in Lebanon from Pakistan. Our support will continue.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that on 27th of October marking the 77th anniversary of the arrival of Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir, the Government and people of Pakistan reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

She said that the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister has addressed letters to the leadership of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), highlighting the ongoing situation in Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He has called for the full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and urged international action to address human rights concerns, including the release of Kashmiri political prisoners and activists.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.