We urge Indian politicians to cease their reckless practice of dragging Pak into India’s populist public discourse for electoral motives: FO Spokesperson
ISLAMABAD, April 26 (SABAH): Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said that we urge Indian politicians to cease their reckless practice of dragging Pakistan into India’s populist public discourse for electoral motives. FO Spokesperson said that historical and legal facts as well as ground realities refute India’s baseless claims over Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Despite India’s rhetoric and assertions, Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized disputed territory. The UN Security Council resolutions clearly outline that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir shall be determined by the will of its people through a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices. India would be wise to help implement these resolutions instead of harboring delusions of grandeur.
This was stated by FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch while addressing the weekly press briefing on Friday. She said that President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi visited Pakistan this week. This was the first visit by an Iranian leader in seven years.
She said that this visit provided an opportunity for the two sides to hold in-depth talks on all aspects of bilateral relations and regional and global developments. There was agreement to expand cooperation in economic, cultural and security domains and to transform the Pakistan-Iran border into a border of peace, friendship and prosperity. In this context, the two sides will promote bilateral trade; fast track negotiations on Free Trade Agreement; develop joint border markets and economic free zones; and promote connectivity including mutually beneficial relationships between the ports of Gwadar and Chabahar.
FO spokesperson said that the two sides also agreed to enhance dialogue and cooperation to confront terrorism, narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, money laundering and abduction. Pakistan and Iran will release each other’s prisoners under the existing legal framework.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that as expressed in the Joint Statement, Pakistan and Iran have similar views on the situation in Gaza and on Jammu and Kashmir. The leaders highlighted the need for dialogue and peaceful means to resolve the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with international law and the will of the people. On Gaza, both sides expressed support for a just, comprehensive, and durable solution based on the aspirations of the Palestinian people, as well as the return of displaced persons.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Chairman, China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), Luo Zhaohui visited Pakistan from 21-25 April 2024. In Islamabad, he called on the President and the Prime Minister and held meetings with the Minister for Economic Affairs and other senior officials. The two sides agreed to fast-track ongoing projects under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and signed several documents of cooperation.
She said that the discovery of mass graves at two major hospitals in Gaza have shocked the human conscience. Pakistan joins the call by the United Nations for “a clear, transparent and credible investigation” of mass graves and the massacre of men, women and children by the Israeli occupation forces. Pakistan vehemently condemns Israel’s barbarianism and its war crimes against the people of Gaza. We underline the urgency of an unconditional ceasefire to protect civilians from further carnage. An independent and impartial investigation must be held to ascertain the facts, fix responsibility and punish the perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, she said.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that we urge the international community, especially the backers of Israel, to take urgent measures to bring an end to the war on the people of Gaza, to lift the siege, to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian assistance and to hold to account the perpetrators of the Gaza genocide.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that we are witnessing an alarming surge in provocative statements from Indian leaders, asserting unwarranted claims over Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan rejects these claims. Fueled by hyper-nationalism, this inflammatory rhetoric poses a grave threat to regional peace and stability. We urge Indian politicians to cease their reckless practice of dragging Pakistan into India’s populist public discourse for electoral motives, she said.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch announced that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar will attend the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy to be held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 28-29 April 2024. They have received the invitations from HRH Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Professor Klaus Schwab, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. High level participation in the Forum will afford an important opportunity to present Pakistan’s priorities specifically in global health architecture, inclusive growth, revitalizing regional collaboration and the need for striking a balance between promoting growth and energy consumption.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that on the margins of the main event, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister will hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, heads of international organizations bodies and other leading personalities participating in the event.
She said that furthermore, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will participate in the 15th OIC Summit being held in Banjul, the Gambia on 4-5 May 2024.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the Summit is being convened at a critical time for the Muslim Ummah as the war on the people of Gaza continues unabated. It would be an important occasion for the OIC leaders to deliberate upon the deteriorating situation in Gaza and project a strong, collective and unified stance on the Palestinian question.
FO spokesperson said that at the Summit, the Prime Minister will speak about Pakistan’s grave concern on the genocide in Gaza, the right to self determination of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, imperatives of solidarity and unity of the Ummah, rising Islamophobia and terrorism and other contemporary global issues. He will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders of the Islamic world on the margins of the Summit.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the Summit will be preceded by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting on 2-3 May 2024. Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will attend the CFM. On the side-lines of the CFM, the Foreign Minister will meet with his counterparts from other OIC countries.