KEY POINTS
- Foreign Office spokesperson says Pakistan is closely monitoring situation in Iran.
- Pakistan values Iran as an important member of the international community.
- Foreign Office advises Pakistani nationals to reconsider travel to Iran.
- Pakistan remains in contact with US authorities and is closely monitoring developments regarding immigration policies.
- Reiterates Pakistan’s rejection of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
- Spokesperson condemns the conviction of Kashmiri leader Asiya Andrabi and her associates.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and stability, stating that it is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and advocating a peaceful and constructive resolution to the unfolding developments.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, addressing a weekly media briefing on Thursday, said Pakistan will continue to play its role for peace.
“Pakistan stands by peace and stability in Iran and hopes the country will soon overcome its current crisis,” he continued.
He noted that Pakistan highly values its relationship with Iran, viewing it as both a neighbouring state and an important member of the international community.
“Pakistan hopes that peace and stability will prevail, and we reaffirm our support for all efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution of the situation,” he added.
He added that the protests in Iran were “triggered by economic hardships faced by the Iranian people, which have been compounded by international sanctions”.
“So, we sincerely hope that the livelihood and financial support measures announced by the Iranian government for the masses will help alleviate the hardship faced by the people, and we offer our best wishes towards that endeavour,” Andrabi said.
He further advised Pakistani nationals to reassess any travel plans to Iran, stressing the importance of adhering to the Foreign Office’s travel advisory and exercising “extreme caution” in the interest of their safety and security.
US immigration pause
When asked about the US decision to suspend immigrant visa processing for Pakistan and 74 other countries, Tahir Andrabi expressed optimism that the process would soon be resumed, noting that Pakistan considers the move to be part of an internal review.
“The United States is reviewing its visa policy, and we hope that visas for Pakistan will be restored soon,” the Spokesperson said, adding that Pakistan remains in contact with US authorities regarding immigration policies.
“The US State Department made a brief statement on social media regarding an ongoing internal review of its immigrant visa processing,” he said.
“We’re in contact with US authorities to get more information. This is a developing story that we are closely monitoring.”
He added, “We understand that this is part of a broader review of US immigration policies and procedures, and we hope that the regular processing of immigrant visas will resume soon.”
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland
The Spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s rejection of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, the self-declared breakaway region of Somalia, describing the move as illegal and warning that it could destabilise the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
He said the Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, addressing the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers held in Jeddah on January 1, strongly condemned the illegal and unlawful recognition by Israel of the Somaliland region, as well as subsequent unwarranted and highly provocative visits of Israeli officials to the territory.
“The Extraordinary OIC Session demonstrated collective determination of OIC member states on various issues facing the Muslim Ummah, particularly Somalia,” the foreign office spokesman said.
India’s baseless rhetoric against Pakistan
Tahir Andrabi strongly rejected allegations levelled by the Indian Army Chief against Pakistan, terming them unfounded and misleading.
He added that Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism are internationally acknowledged, adding that India’s continued clichéd, habitual, and delusional rhetoric represents a regrettable attempt to exploit the issue of terrorism for narrow political objectives.
The Spokesperson said India’s state-sponsored terrorism is well documented and referred to the arrest of an Indian serving officer, Kulbhushan Jadhav, as evidence.
He added that India must learn to observe civilised inter-state norms and desist from making irresponsible allegations that carry the dangerous potential of further exacerbating tensions in an already volatile and nuclearised region.
Responding to a question, Tahir Andrabi strongly condemned the conviction of prominent Kashmiri political leader Asiya Andrabi and her two associates.
He said the convictions, following what he described as sham trials, underscore the continued misuse of draconian laws to silence legitimate political voices in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
He reaffirmed that Pakistan remains steadfast in its diplomatic, political, and moral support for the Kashmiri people and their just struggle for the inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in United Nations resolutions.
