ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday strongly rejected India’s latest map incorporating Jammu and Kashmir into its territory and warned that any unilateral action in violation of international law could not deprive the Kashmiri people of their right to self-determination.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan, addressing his weekly media briefing, said Pakistan firmly rejected India’s attempt to portray Jammu and Kashmir as part of its territory through a newly issued map, stressing that such unilateral measures had no legal basis and could not alter the internationally recognised status of the disputed territory.
He reiterated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir could not be stripped of their right to self-determination through unilateral actions and called for respect for international law.
📍Spokesperson’s Weekly Press Briefing on 09-10-2026 , at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad https://t.co/InEQNnWYxy
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 9, 2026
Makkah Defence Alliance
On the Makkah Defence Alliance involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, the spokesperson said the arrangement was aimed at safeguarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the three countries and was defensive in nature.
“Pakistan’s military resources are already in Riyadh,” he said, adding that Pakistani military personnel had been stationed in Saudi Arabia since 1982.
Under the agreement, the three countries had agreed to provide appropriate military capabilities as part of their collective defence arrangements, he said.
Asked whether Turkiye deployed troops in Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson said he did not have information on the matter, adding that every country followed its own procedures.
Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Saudi Arabia
The spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with Saudi Arabia, saying Islamabad remained firmly committed to protecting the Kingdom’s sovereignty and security under the Makkah defence agreement.
He recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had strongly condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia and commended the readiness of the Saudi armed forces.
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Pakistan also condemned the Houthi attack on the Taibah Power Distribution Station in Madinah, he said, adding that Saudi Arabia had a legitimate right to defend its people and critical installations.
The spokesperson said the Strategic, Critical and Defence Committee of the Makkah Defence Alliance had met in Riyadh on October 5, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Chief of Defence Forces and the Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attending alongside the foreign and defence ministers and military leadership of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
The meeting discussed collective defence cooperation under the agreement, while participants strongly condemned attempts to target Makkah and Madinah as well as attacks against civilians and critical facilities.
Pakistan seeks place in Board of Peace on Gaza
On the situation in Palestine, the Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan wanted to join the Board of Peace alongside Arab and Islamic countries to help end bloodshed in Gaza and advance a credible political process.
He stressed the need for full implementation of the Doha peace process and plan, along with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians.
He called for an end to Israeli settlement activities and the forced displacement of Palestinians, reiterating that the Palestinian people must be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination.
The spokesperson reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to establishing an independent, sovereign and geographically contiguous Palestinian state, stressing that a lasting settlement of the Palestinian question must be based on international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
Concerns over Afghanistan at Moscow Format
On Afghanistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan had participated in the Moscow Format meeting with a positive approach but had also conveyed its serious concerns about terrorist threats emanating from Afghan territory.
He said any joint declaration that failed to accommodate Pakistan’s concerns would undermine its significance.
Islamabad has consistently emphasised the need to address terrorism and ensure that Afghan territory is not used for attacks against other countries, he added.
India protested over firing at civilians
The Foreign Office spokesperson said Islamabad had lodged a strong protest with India over the targeting of unarmed civilians by Indian forces along the Working Boundary on October 2.
The Indian Chargé d’Affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office on October 3, where Pakistan formally conveyed its strong protest, he said.
Pakistan rejected the unwarranted and disproportionate use of lethal force against unarmed civilians and demanded an immediate, transparent and credible investigation into the incident.
Islamabad also called on New Delhi to take legal and disciplinary action against those responsible and share the findings of the investigation with Pakistan.
The spokesperson urged India to respect international law, human rights and established border procedures, exercise restraint and take effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Pakistan reaffirms commitment to Indus Waters Treaty
On water security, the spokesperson said Pakistan remained committed to the Indus Waters Treaty and stressed that its obligations continued to remain in force and must be respected.
His remarks followed a symposium on water security, transboundary river management and international legal obligations attended by diplomats, academics and water-sector experts.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar condemned India’s use of water as a weapon, underscoring the importance of respecting international agreements and legal obligations governing shared water resources.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said a Court of Arbitration ruling had reaffirmed the continued operation of the Indus Waters Treaty, adding that Pakistan remained committed to the agreement and expected all parties to honour their obligations under it and international law.
UN chief praises Pakistan’s hospitality and resilience
The spokesperson also said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres had praised Pakistan’s hospitality and its spirit of resilience in the face of natural disasters during his visit to the country.
