Pakistan actively engaged with US, Iran for regional peace: FO
- Says Pakistan remains hopeful of a negotiated settlement of this issue
The Foreign Office has said Pakistan remains actively engaged both with the US and Iran for the cause of peace and stability in the region and beyond.
At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi underscored that the clock on diplomacy has not stopped but functional.
Andrabi said anything that passes through the conduit of diplomatic channels in Pakistan is honestly communicated to the other side.
“Pakistan remains hopeful of a negotiated settlement of this issue,” he said, emphasising that we encourage direct negotiations between the two sides. He said Pakistan hopes for stable relations between Iran and the US.
The Foreign Office spokesperson strongly condemned the unprovoked firing and shelling by Afghan forces in the border areas of South Waziristan adjacent to Bannu district, including Angoor Adda. He said efforts are ongoing to ensure the safety of local populations and prevent further incidents.
Responding to a question, Andrabi expressed concerns over the continued detention and imprisonment of Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik as well as the rearrest and continued extension of three-decade old case against distinguished Kashmiri leader Shabbir Ahmed Shah.
He called upon the international community to take notice of the situation and play its role in basically pressing upon India for immediate release of Shabbir Shah Sahib, Yasin Malik Sahib and all other political prisoners who have been incarcerated for their voices on human rights and political freedoms.
The spokesperson also condemned the Indian illegal action in connection with the reported ban and sealing of Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom.
He said targeting of this very credible institution in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir is part of a broader policy and pattern by the occupying authorities aimed at undermining the socio-cultural and religious identity of the Kashmiri people.
“These developments point to a persistent rise in Islamophobia in IIOJK and across India, reflecting a broad pattern of a far-right Hindutva driven agenda,” he said.
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