ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday ruled out any meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during the upcoming meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in China.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, while addressing a weekly media briefing in Islamabad, said that there is no planned engagement between the two leaders.
India’s growing arms build-up
Commenting on India’s growing arms build-up, he expressed serious concern over the scale of India’s military procurement, warning that it poses a grave threat to regional stability and to Pakistan’s national security.
He criticised the international community for turning a blind eye to India’s aggressive pursuit of military capabilities, which, he said, far exceed its legitimate defence requirements and continue to undermine peace in the region.
Nevertheless, he affirmed that Pakistan possesses the capability to respond effectively and to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining a full spectrum of deterrence to safeguard its people and ensure peace and stability in South Asia.
Pakistan rejects India’s baseless insinuations
Responding to a question on the recent statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said that Pakistan outrightly rejects the baseless insinuations, terming them yet another example of New Delhi’s “chronic tendency to distort facts and twist statements out of context.”
“The Indian narrative of so-called nuclear blackmail is a self-serving construct, misleading in nature, and aimed at maligning Pakistan,” the spokesperson said.
He stressed that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear-weapon state with a robust command-and-control system under full civilian oversight and has “always exercised restraint and discipline on matters of such importance.”
Ambassador Khan underscored that Pakistan’s “sustained and credible counterterrorism efforts are internationally recognised,” noting that its security forces have acted as a bulwark against terrorism not just for Pakistan but also for regional stability and global security.
“Pakistan shall continue to act as a responsible member of the international community. However, any act of Indian aggression or violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will be met with an immediate and matching response. The onus of any escalation will rest squarely with the Indian leadership,” he said.
Pakistan open to comprehensive dialogue with India on all issues
He said Pakistan has already expressed its willingness to engage in a comprehensive and composite dialogue with India to address all outstanding issues, including terrorism.
He made it clear that Pakistan has no reservations about discussing the issue of terrorism with India, asserting that Pakistan holds credible and irrefutable evidence of Indian involvement in fostering terrorism within its borders.
Shafqat Ali Khan added that any initiative by friendly countries aimed at facilitating dialogue between Pakistan and India would be welcomed.
Court of Arbitration award on Indus Waters Treaty
Ambassador Khan also welcomed the August 8, 2025 award by the Court of Arbitration on the Indus Waters Treaty, which upheld Pakistan’s interpretation of critical provisions and ruled against India’s attempts to maximize pondage volumes and bypass treaty restrictions.
“This ruling reaffirms the final and binding nature of the treaty and exposes India’s unilateral attempts to suspend its obligations,” he said.
Ambassador Khan concluded that instead of “provocative rhetoric,” India should focus on fulfilling its international obligations, particularly on issues of regional peace, counterterrorism and adherence to binding international treaties such as the Indus Waters Treaty.
Pakistan-China strategic partnership
The diplomat in his remarks said Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” through enhanced bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation.
“Both sides comprehensively reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including CPEC Phase-II, trade and economic ties, multilateral cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and important regional and global issues,” Ambassador Khan said, referring to the recent visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Pakistan.
He added that the two ministers agreed to maintain close coordination and communication at bilateral and multilateral forums.
Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national development,” and appreciated Beijing’s principled stance on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, he added.
He also highlighted the strategic significance of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as part of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan
Replying to a question regarding terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan, the Spokesperson said terrorism emanating from Afghanistan remains a central issue in Pakistan’s discussions with Afghan authorities.
He noted that Afghanistan is an important neighbour, and Pakistan seeks friendly and brotherly relations with it.
However, he stressed that terrorism continues to be a major obstacle to realising the full potential of bilateral ties, particularly in terms of regional connectivity, integration, and prosperity.
Pakistan’s sacrifices against terrorism
Spokesperson Khan also welcomed the US decision to designate the BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) and its Majid Brigade faction as Foreign Terrorist Organisations, calling it “a recognition of Pakistan’s sacrifices and counterterrorism efforts for global security.”
Greater Israel plan condemned
The spokesperson strongly condemned Israeli statements about creating a so-called “Greater Israel” and displacing Palestinians from Gaza, calling them “a flagrant violation of international law and UN resolutions.”
