Key Points
- FO reiterates Pakistan’s call for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and creation of independent Palestinian state
- DPM Ishaq Dar represented Pakistan at Arab–Islamic coordination meeting in Istanbul
- Pakistan rejects Indian media claims about intelligence contacts with Mossad and CIA
- 2,400 visas issued to Hindu pilgrims for Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary
- PM’s visit to Azerbaijan, President’s address in Doha highlight Pakistan’s proactive diplomacy
- Afghan issue mentioned as Islamabad stresses need for verifiable counterterror guarantees
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace, rejected Indian media disinformation, and renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during the weekly briefing of the Foreign Office in Islamabad.
Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan’s diplomacy was focused on peace, justice, and accountability, emphasising that Islamabad stood firmly with the Palestinian people and remained engaged on multiple regional fronts.
Andrabi told reporters that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had represented Pakistan at the Arab–Islamic Foreign Ministers’ Coordination Meeting on Gaza, held earlier this week in Istanbul. He said Pakistan reiterated its longstanding position in support of a sovereign Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, and urged the international community to move beyond temporary truces toward a lasting ceasefire.
“Pakistan stands with Palestine until justice is achieved,” he said, adding that Israel’s ongoing aggression had deepened the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
The spokesperson also dismissed as “fabricated” the Indian media claims alleging secret contacts between Pakistan, the CIA, and Israel’s Mossad. He described such reports as part of a “habitual propaganda campaign” aimed at maligning Pakistan’s institutions. “There have been no such contacts. These narratives are baseless and reflective of frustration across the border,” Andrabi stated.
Clarifying another issue, he said reports of Hindu pilgrims being denied visas for the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji were inaccurate. Over 2,400 visas were issued under the bilateral protocol, he explained, and delays in some cases occurred due to processing issues on the Indian side. “Pakistan has facilitated every applicant in accordance with our religious tourism policy,” he added.
Andrabi also highlighted Pakistan’s recent high-level engagements, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s participation in Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebrations and President Asif Ali Zardari’s address at the Doha Summit.
He said both leaders reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, decolonisation, and human rights, with President Zardari particularly spotlighting India’s atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir and its violations of the Indus Waters Treaty.
On Afghanistan, Andrabi said Pakistan remained engaged with mediators Türkiye and Qatar to ensure progress in the ongoing dialogue process. He acknowledged that the third round of talks in Istanbul had ended without a breakthrough but cautioned against “sensational speculation.” “Pakistan’s stance remains clear — we seek verifiable counterterror guarantees. Dialogue will continue based on mutual respect and security assurances,” he concluded.
