ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has confirmed that Pakistan had invited the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting being held in Islamabad. At her weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said that invitations have been sent to all heads of government of SCO member nations including the Prime Minister of India for the forthcoming meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Baloch has said that they have also received some confirmations. The Spokesperson said that this meeting is scheduled to take place in Islamabad on the 15th to 16th of October. Replying to a question, she said Pakistan does not have trade ties with India.
Pakistan has no Plan to Negotiate with Khawarij: FO
She said that Islamabad has no plan of negotiating with Khawarij, while calling on Kabul to take decisive action against the terrorist group. At her weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said the presence of terror groups including the Khawarij (TTP) in Afghanistan is confirmed by multiple global reports including the UN. She added they expect the Afghan authorities to take robust action against these terrorist groups and halt their activities that endanger Pakistan’s security.
IIOJK
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory. She added the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions clearly state that the final disposition of the Jammu and Kashmir issue shall be made in accordance with the will of the people through a United Nations supervised plebiscite.
The Spokesperson said that the third death anniversary of iconic Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani would be observed on September 1, and remembered him as the true voice of the Kashmir struggle for self-determination. Paying rich tribute to Syed Ali Geelani’s struggle for Kashmiri’s right to self-determination, she reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to diplomatic, political, and moral support to Kashmiris for a just and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue as per UNSC resolutions.
In this backdrop, the spokesperson said that any other process cannot serve as a substitute to the grant of the right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir.
CPEC
When asked regarding China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Spokesperson added it is a transformational project that has contributed transparently and positively to Pakistan’s national development. She added the corridor project also enjoys support and popularity in all provinces in Pakistan.
She also clarified that Pakistan’s total public debt relating to China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects is a small percentage of its total debt. She said, the public debt obtained from Beijing has longer maturity periods with low interest rates. She reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to provide complete security to all Chinese citizens, projects and institutions.
Occupied West Bank
She expressed grave concerns over the recent large-scale military incursion by Israeli troops in the northern part of the Occupied West Bank. This assault is another blatant violation of global law, including the 4th Geneva Convention, which stops indiscriminate targeting of civilians, she said.
She reiterated Islamabad’s strong condemnation of the bombing of the historic Grand Mosque in Khan Younis by Israeli troops, and said the attack on a place of deep cultural and religious significance was a clear violation of global laws and the Hague Convention.
