Transcript of the Press Briefing by the Mumtaz Zahra Spokesperson ministry of foreign affairs.

Islamabad, Earlier this week, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. They discussed areas of cooperation between Pakistan and the Commonwealth and agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration in education, skills development, youth and women empowerment, health, and environmental preservation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar visited Tehran on Tuesday to represent Pakistan at the investiture ceremony of the President of Iran, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian.

On behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, the Deputy Prime Minister conveyed a message of felicitations and best wishes to President of Iran on his assumption of office and congratulated the Iranian nation on the successful and smooth transitioning of power to the new political administration. The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed support and solidarity with the new Iranian administration and Pakistan’s commitment to further consolidate ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Dr. Pezeshkian appreciated the felicitation messages and underlined Iran’s commitment to good neighbourly relations.

Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi led the Pakistan delegation at the 31st ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held on 27 July in Vientiane, Lao PDR. At the Meeting, the Foreign Secretary emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, security, and cooperation. He appreciated ASEAN’s role in regional integration and prosperity; presented Pakistan’s perspective on regional conflicts in the Asia-Pacific; and emphasized the importance of dialogue and inclusiveness. The Foreign Secretary called for resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as per the UN Security Council resolutions.

The seventh round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was held this week in Islamabad. The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane while the Pakistan side was headed by Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi.

Expressing satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, the two sides reaffirmed the resolve to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and enhance bilateral dialogue and exchanges to strengthen the dialogue mechanisms. The two sides also decided to explore new opportunities for cooperation in the fields of agriculture, health, connectivity and culture.

Pakistan strongly condemns Israel’s continuing adventurism in the region and its aggression against Lebanon with its strikes of 30th July 2024.

Israel’s military aggression in Beirut is a grievous infringement on Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This attack on civilian areas is a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people of Lebanon and reaffirms its support for their right to live in peace and security and to enjoy their sovereignty.

Targeting individuals inside sovereign states is a violation of international law and global norms. Such acts carry the seeds of further escalation. It is yet another demonstration of indiscriminate and disproportionate Israeli aggression that has continued unabated to the detriment of regional and global peace and security.

Israel’s latest actions in the region represent a dangerous expansion of hostilities that undermines efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Israel must be held accountable for its transgressions and actions. Israeli’s extraterritorial acts have endangered regional security. The backers of Israel should prevail on Israel to end its unlawful military operations in violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region.

Yesterday’s assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the Chief of the Political Bureau of Hamas in Tehran, was an act of dangerous escalation in an already volatile region and undermines efforts for peace. We express our condolences to his family and the Palestinian people. His killers must be held to account.

Since October 2023, Israel has unleashed a campaign of terror against the Palestinian people. Its war on Gaza and the inhumane siege in violation of international human rights and humanitarian law have resulted in misery, death and destruction. These acts constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. We call upon the United Nations to uphold international law and to bring an end to the genocide of the people of Gaza.

Pakistan also reiterate support for the realization of the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, their right of return to Palestine and the establishment of an independent state of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Monday next week will be the 5th anniversary of a dark day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. On 5th August 2019, India took illegal and unilateral actions in IIOJK to undermine the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. These acts and subsequent steps taken by the Indian occupation forces were driven by a sinister plan to convert Kashmiris into a disempowered minority in their own land; and to alter the demographic structure of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

We urge India to reverse the illegal and unilateral actions taken since 5th August 2019. India should take necessary steps to create an environment conducive to peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

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

Question and Answers

(Naveed Iqbal Siddiqui, Talon News): Ma’am, UNSC and its report declares that the Afghan Taliban and TTP Nexus pose great threat to Pakistan. The report mentions that some 800 attacks were carried out in the last few months against Pakistan security forces and report also mentions how the attack was carried out on Chinese engineers in Besham on 25th March?

Spokesperson: Yes, we have seen the 34th report of UN Monitoring Team. It endorses the view that TTP has intensified its attacks inside Pakistan that the TTP has support structures in Afghanistan. We have also noted that the report contains the view that TTP could transform into an extra-regional threat, as well as an umbrella organization for other terrorist groups. The report points out that TTP operatives and its new recruits are being trained in Afghanistan. This endorses what we have been saying for the last several months, that Afghanistan has hideouts and sanctuaries for terrorist groups, including the TTP, that continue to threaten Pakistan’s security. We urge Afghanistan to take immediate, effective and robust action against these terror groups, especially the TTP, and to ensure that Afghan territory is not used as a staging ground for terrorism against Pakistan.

(Azaz Syed, Geo News): Ma’am, recently a political party named TLP staged a protest here in Islamabad, and one of their demand was to declare Israel as a terrorist state, following which Pakistani ministers from the Federal government held meetings and issued statements that Israel is a terrorist state. What is the official point of view of the foreign office in this regard?

Spokesperson: This question was asked at our last briefing as well, and I would like to reiterate what we said last time. Pakistan has expressed serious concerns about the Israel’s war on Gaza and the genocide that is taking place in Gaza. We have expressed support for the case that has been brought by South Africa at the ICJ, calling for the ICJ’s decision regarding genocide taking place in Gaza. We believe that the actions that Israel is taking in Gaza and in Palestinian territories are a violation of international humanitarian law, and the Israeli forces have continued in war crimes and crimes against humanity. Pakistan has also called for holding Israel accountable for those war crimes.

(Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Yesterday, the Foreign Office had released a statement initially, which referred to Israeli adventurism in context of the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of Hamas’ political bureau. Hours later, the statement was quietly amended, and the word Israeli adventurism was omitted. Now two parts of the question, first, does Pakistan not believe it is Israeli adventurism? And if it doesn’t, then what adventurism and whose adventurism is it referring to? Is it the region, Pakistan, Iran’s neighbors, Afghanistan? I mean, who particularly and what caused this omission?

Spokesperson: My first comment to your question is that our public statements correspond to the developments that take place internationally, especially in cases where the developments are taking place at fast pace and new information is coming in. That is a general statement that I wanted to make. Secondly, with regards to the development that took place yesterday in Iran, the killing of the Chief of political bureau of Hamas, I just made a comprehensive statement on the incident. We have condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. We have extended our condolences to his family and to the people of Palestine in our statement. We also condemn Israel adventurism in the region and the acts that it is taking against its neighbours, including the attack against Lebanon on the 30th of June. We believe all these acts, including the genocide that is taking place in Gaza, are dangerous developments for this region. We also believe that Israel should be held to account for its war crimes in Gaza and occupied Palestinian territories.

(Allah Noor, Mashriq TV): Ma’am, as yesterday there was an attack on a UN vehicle in KPK’s district Tank but since the car was bullet proof, everyone is safe. Previously, the Chinese were also attacked in which some of them died. Even Pakistani citizens are not safe and the Afghan government is not taking action regarding TTP. So, what is Pakistan’s message to the foreigners? And what message would you want to give to Afghanistan regarding such incidents?

Spokesperson: Foreign diplomats, businessmen, tourists, workers, they are the guests of Pakistan and we will make every effort to ensure their safety and to facilitate their stay in Pakistan. We will continue to work with foreign missions to ensure their safety and the safety of their personnel. Our concerned departments, including this Ministry, remains engaged with foreign Missions to ensure safety of foreign diplomats.

(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): We have our missions in Tehran and elsewhere in the region. What is the assessment of Pakistan, under what circumstances Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated, and who is responsible for it, keeping in mind the threat issued or the warning issued of retaliation by Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. How does Pakistan assess the situation?

Spokesperson: Regarding the assassination of the Chief of the political bureau of Hamas, Pakistan is looking for further announcements from the Iranian authorities. We have complete confidence that the Iranian authorities will investigate and share the findings of this unfortunate assassination. We will make further comments when these findings come out.

(Saima Shabbir, Arab News Pakistan): My question is that the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, in its briefing at a Standing Committee of the Parliament said that the Gulf states are not taking Pakistani manpower because they are not skilled. Also that the diaspora are mostly found involved in criminal and illegal activities, especially the UAE. Is Foreign Ministry aware of this issue, and what are the steps taken by the Foreign Office?

Spokesperson: First, I would advise you to contact the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis for the basis of their statement and the statistics that they have released. We are not aware of such information and statistics. Pakistani citizens, wherever they are, they are contributing to the economy and development of the society where they are living. Pakistani nationals especially in the Middle East have been living there for decades and have positively contributed to the development of these countries. These Pakistani nationals are in millions, and they are law abiding. As far as some individual cases are concerned where Pakistani nationals may be involved in some crime, Pakistan has been very consistent. We have called on Pakistani nationals, wherever they are, to respect the laws of the host country. The host governments are appreciative of the Pakistani nationals, of their contribution to their societies and the peaceful and law-abiding nature of Pakistani workers, who live in these countries, especially in the Middle East.

(Anas Mallick, Capital TV): We’ve seen a lot of claims from the Indian side with regards to an alleged incursion from Pakistan and alleged cross border terrorism emanating from our side, with regards to the recent attacks taking place on the Indian side of Kashmir. Your comments on that?

Spokesperson: I would repeat what I’ve said in the past. Indian media and public officials have an obsession with Pakistan, and they habitually blame Pakistan for anything negative that happens under their watch, including in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It is important for the Indian authorities to assess the sentiment of the people of IIOJK and to ensure that the people of IIOJK are able to exercise their rights and freedoms as enshrined under international law and UNSC resolutions.

(Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Ma’am, what are the latest updates on trade and people’s movement at Pak Afghan border?

Spokesperson: As per my understanding, as of this morning, the border situation in terms of trade remains normal.

(Anwar Abbas, 24 News): Ma’am, recently the Ministry of Foreign affairs issued some pictures of the DPM’s visit of Iran in which we can see a man named Ali Dar, who is not the member of Federal Cabinet nor he is MNA or a Federal Minister. So, in what capacity he visited Tehran with a government delegation on government protocol and expenses?

Spokesperson: I do not wish to comment on political undertones of this question. Secondly, as you would recall, the Prime Minister was invited to attend the Investiture Ceremony of the President of Iran. And when the Prime Minister, because of his health reasons, could not attend, he nominated a team led by the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan to represent Pakistan and express our felicitations to the President elect and to the people of Iran and that was the reason why the Pakistani delegation was in Tehran.

(Zahid Farooq Malik, Daily Metro Watch): Ma’am, it has been 5 years since the time India illegally changed the status of IIOJK. What plans does MoFA have to present the situation to the world? Has any dossier been prepared to present to the world.

Spokesperson: Pakistan has been expressing its serious concerns on the developments that have taken place on 5th of August 2019, in IIOJK. We have conveyed and shared multiple dossiers and papers not just with the United Nations, but with the members of the international community and with the international human rights bodies. As far as our next plans are concerned, I would like to say, stay tuned. We will be sharing further information in coming days.

(Kiran Butt, Khorasan diary): Ma’am, my question to you is regarding a statement which was issued yesterday by Iranian Foreign Ministry regarding the situation in Parachinar and there was also a tweet which was deleted later on from the twitter handle. What are your comments on it?

Spokesperson: First, killing of any human being is a tragedy. Pakistan values the life dignity and property of all its nationals. As a multi-cultural and multi-faith society, Pakistan is fully determined to foster social harmony, tolerance and mutual respect. Such statements about Pakistan domestic affairs are, therefore, unwarranted. While details may be sought from the Ministry of Interior about the developments, we believe that these statements are based on an incomplete picture of the situation in Parachinar.

(Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Yesterday, we saw that in front of the Lahore Camp Office of the Foreign Office, a policeman was seen brutally assaulting a young individual who was supposedly or reportedly there for attestation purposes. Does Foreign Office condemn or endorse such behavior and what measures have been taken to prevent such an action?

Spokesperson: We are aware of these reports. And first, we would like to point out that this incident took place outside the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liaison Office, Lahore. Furthermore, the investigations about the incident are underway. We have also been informed that the police official has been suspended. Further information will be shared in due course..

(Anas Mallick, Capital TV): The National Counter Terrorism Authority has finally listed Hafiz Gul Bahadur group and the Majeed Brigade of the BLA. These listings took place on 18th and 25th of July, subsequently. Now my question is, before these listings, Pakistan, for the longest of the times, have been calling both of these groups as a terror organization, quote, unquote. In fact, Pakistan also bombed or targeted hideouts of Hafiz Gul Bahadur in Afghanistan on the 18th of March. Now targeting a group which itself, locally, does not recognize as a terror group. I mean, is there a collapse of the system, or is there? I mean, what is this?

Spokesperson: First, I would like to state that the listing of individuals under
Schedule-IV is a legal process that has several steps, and that culminates in inclusion of a particular individual in the list of terrorist entities. For further details about the timing and the duration of this exercise, I would advise you to contact the Ministry of Interior which is the lead Ministry on this.

(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): I heard the Consul General of the UAE speaking in Karachi about the alleged involvement of expatriates in defaming institutions of Pakistan, the Government of Pakistan. He said they will be deported. How far this ministry has put up this case to the UAE government or assisted other departments of the government in getting these Pakistanis deported, who are propagating against the sitting government or institutions of Pakistan. What’s the number of such Pakistanis to be deported from the UAE?

Spokesperson: Number one, I do not have any such figures. Confirmation of such numbers may be sought from the UAE authorities. Secondly, Pakistan has always called on its nationals abroad wherever they are to respect the laws and customs of the country. The UAE or other countries in the Middle East have their laws with respect to individuals, foreign expatriates and their participation in political activities. So, from this podium, I reiterate our request to Pakistani nationals wherever they are, to respect the local laws and the local customs, so that the life of all Pakistanis in those countries remains normal and they continue to enjoy their stay in these countries.

(Allah Noor, Mashriq TV): Ma’am, an American journalist, Charles Glass came to Pakistan to meet the Chairman PTI, Imran Khan and was deported yesterday. Your comment on that. And secondly, what is your message to the journalists who want to visit Pakistan?

Spokesperson: I would advise you to contact the Ministry of Information for details about this case.

(Saqib Ali Rathore, Daily Kashmir Times): Ma’am, everyday, press conferences are held by the government condemning Pakistanis abroad who talk against Pakistan and its institutions. The Ministry said these individuals will be brought back to Pakistan and legal action would be taken against them. Will there be any role of Foreign Office in this?

Spokesperson: When any legal case is brought to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to be shared with foreign governments, we take these up with the concerned governments. I am not going to comment on any political statements or press conferences, but I would like to reaffirm that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will play its part when it is called upon to play its due role in any such legal matter.

(Zahid Farooq Malik, Daily Metro Watch): Ma’am, what are the updates regarding the incident of Frankfurt?

Spokesperson: Frankfurt, I do not have any new updates. We remain in contact with the German authorities. We are confident that the German authorities will take effective action against all those responsible for the attack on Pakistani Consulate in Frankfurt and will hold to account those responsible for the lapses in security of Pakistani Consulate.

(Abdullah Momand, Dawn News): Foreign Secretary Syrus Qazi yesterday told to Parliamentary Committee that Foreign Office and their Missions are facing financial crisis due to a very low budget from the Government of Pakistan. Can you confirm? Second, they told the Committee that they are suspending the special passes for the truck drivers going to Afghanistan, and they are introducing passport policy for those crossing Pakistan-Afghan border. So, what is your view on this?

Spokesperson: Regarding your first question, with respect to the financial outlays for this Ministry, Pakistan Foreign Office remains engaged with the Ministry of Finance. We hope that any financial demands that this Ministry have will be resolved in consultation with the Ministry of Finance. The second question with regards to those truck drivers, who travel to Afghanistan on a regular basis, I would like to underline that Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed on an interim arrangement for these truck drivers to facilitate bilateral trade. Our position remains that one document regime is critical for smooth exchange of people across Pakistan-Afghanistan border. This is a policy that is in practice for Pakistan’s other neighbours. And we believe that time has come for any Afghan nationals who come to Pakistan to come on the basis of a valid Afghan passport and a valid visa that’s given by the Pakistani authorities.

(Azaz Syed, Geo News): Ma’am, just a light question. I’m here to just point out a mistake, either by you or by the Interior Ministry. On the 26th of July, Interior Ministry has issued a notification for all the ministries saying that the militant organization TTP, should not be named as TTP. You are continuously naming TTP, they have also given a new name of Kharjis. Either they are on the wrong page or you are on the wrong page?

Spokesperson: I would not like to comment on the notification made by the Ministry of Interior. A terrorist organization that uses the name of religion to kill Pakistani nationals is defined as Kharjis. The Ministry of Interior has highlighted its understanding. Since from this podium, we are addressing an international audience, including members of the foreign media, it is important for us, for them, to understand which group are we referring to, and that is why I use the particular name of this terrorist organization.

(Rizwan Abbasi, Daily Ausaf): Ma’am, few days ago, Turkiye’s Foreign Minister suddenly paid a short visit to Pakistan. The Foreign Office said that it was a transit visit but Foreign Office did not provide any detail regarding meetings with officials.

Spokesperson: What the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in response to some queries which were addressed to us regarding this visit is correct. This was a transit visit of a few hours by the Foreign Minister of Turkiye, as he was traveling from Laos after attending the ARF. And it is in diplomatic practice that when a foreign dignitary is stopping over for a few hours, our senior officials meet and greet them. There was no official agenda for these meetings.

(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): You just affirmed that any legal case brought to the Ministry of Foreign Office will be proceeded to the foreign governments. Has there been any cases brought before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring back the absconders from abroad so far?

Spokesperson: I would not comment on cases which are sub-judice or which are under discussion between Pakistan and foreign governments. We believe these are privileged communications that take place between Pakistan and these foreign governments. So, I would not like to comment on these cases.

(Anwar Abbas, 24 News): Ma’am, a lighter question. There are reports on social media that Israel’s target was Shehbaz Sharif instead of Ismail Haniyeh and that’s why the visit was cancelled. Need your comment on that.

Spokesperson: I think this question does not deserve an answer.

(Kiran Butt, The Khorasan Diary): Ma’am, there is an ongoing protest in Gilgit Baltistan in which small traders made a sit in. They are demanding the tax imposed by FBR on transit trade to be withdrawn. Otherwise, they will continue their sit in to block the border with China. What are the details on that?

Spokesperson: As far as we understand, the issues being raised by these protesters do not pertain to a question of foreign policy. We, therefore, refer you to the concerned authorities for their views on that.

(Aghar Ali Mubarak, The Daily Mail International): Ma’am, after election as a Prime Minister for the third term, Indian Prime Minister Modi visited Srinagar and said that statehood of IIOJK will be resolved and elections would be conducted there. How does Pakistan see this?

Spokesperson: We have said on several occasions that India does not have a locus standi to comment on the future of the Jammu and Kashmir. The future of Jammu and Kashmir would be determined according to international law, by a free and fair plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations