ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday warned that the imposition of tariffs by the United States can have far-reaching effects, particularly on developing countries and called for a swift and mutually beneficial resolution to the issue.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan at his weekly media briefing on Thursday said Pakistan hopes for a swift and mutually beneficial resolution of this issue.
He added that the Prime Minister has constituted a Steering Committee and a Working Group to examine fresh tariffs and formulate a response.
Pakistan has also decided to send a high-level delegation to the United States to promote trade relations and hold negotiations on the newly imposed tariffs, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Wednesday.
Last week, the US imposed heavy tariffs on several countries. Pakistan was hit by a 29 percent tariff on goods it exports to the US.
Pakistan condemns Israeli aggression
Shafqat Ali Khan condemned the continued aggression and atrocities committed by Israeli occupying forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza.
“The indiscriminate violence has claimed thousands of innocent Palestinian lives, including women, children, medical personnel, journalists and humanitarian workers, marking yet another dark chapter in Israel’s brutal occupation,” the Spokesperson said.
He demanded that the international community take immediate notice of this barbarity and stop this blatant violation of international law and the charter of the United Nations.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support to the upcoming high-level international conference for the peaceful settlement of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution.
“We commend France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for co-chairing the preparatory consultations for the June 2025 Conference,” he said.
“We sincerely hope that the June Conference will rise to the occasion and restore hope in peace and justice through meaningful action. We believe that in the lead-up to the Conference: The ceasefire must be fully implemented; the blockade on Gaza must be lifted; humanitarian access must be guaranteed; civilians and humanitarian personnel must be protected,” he remarked.
He said that any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians or annex their land must be unequivocally rejected and effectively prevented.
Atrocities in IIOJK
Foreign Office Spokesperson highlighting the Kashmir issue said the human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue unabated.
“The Indian authorities once again decided to deny permission to hold Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the historic Jama Masjid and Eidgah in Srinagar,” he said.
“The Indian authorities are in the habit of enforcing similar curbs in Srinagar for the past several years. Restraining ordinary people from congregating on special religious occasions poses serious challenges to the religious freedom of Muslims in IIOJK. The Kashmiri people’s rights to freely practice their religion and of peaceful Assembly must be respected.”
Repatriation of illegal foreign nationals
Shafqat Ali Khan to a question, said that the ongoing repatriation of illegal foreign nationals from Pakistan was under a legal framework and the individuals were allowed to return to Pakistan after obtaining a visa.
He said that Pakistan had been more generous than any other country in the world to host the Afghan nationals and reiterated the government’s policy to ensure the dignified return of those staying illegally.
He said Pakistan has always stood with our Afghan friends, brothers and sisters, in their difficulties, and has generously hosted generations of Afghans for over four decades.
He added that Pakistan considers the bilateral relationship with Afghanistan as important. “We are neighbours bound by layers of history, culture, and language. We have been trying to improve relations, but the major roadblock, of course, remains the security situation and the sanctuaries enjoyed by terrorists,” he said.
He went on to say the security situation, threat of terrorism, and sanctuaries enjoyed by terrorists are some of the roadblocks to the larger wholesome development of political and economic relationship.
Safety of Chinese citizens
On China, the Spokesperson said the country is our strategic partner, one of our closest friends, a close neighbour, and its economic investment in Pakistan is very crucial for us, and we welcome it.
“And overall, the safety of our Chinese friends is the government of Pakistan’s responsibility, and it is a trust we carry with utmost seriousness, and we are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our Chinese friends who are working for the development of Pakistan within our country,” he said.
Termination of UGRAD
Regarding the discontinuation of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Programme (Global UGRAD) for Pakistani students, the spokesperson said that the decision marked the end of a 15-year initiative that played a pivotal role in promoting the academic and cultural enrichment of 1000s of Pakistani students.
“We believe that student exchange programs play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations by focusing on education, scientific and technological collaboration, and, more importantly, people-to-people contacts,” he said.
Tie with US
To a question, he added that parliamentary cooperation is always an important component of bilateral relations with the US. “Pakistan has strong, robust, multi-dimensional cooperation,” he said,
He announced that a congressional delegation from the United States is coming to Pakistan; however, the specifics of the visit will be shared later.
Iran nuclear deal
The Spokesperson to yet another question said Iran is a very important neighbour, a close friend of Pakistan. “Our dialogue continues at multiple levels. We have intense interaction across multiple channels, and it is a very important relationship for both countries,” he said.
Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan always supported JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), which demonstrated a good example of a negotiated settlement of a complex issue through dialogue and diplomacy.
“We will continue to support initiatives by relevant parties that aim to resolve contentious issues through constructive negotiations,” he said.
India Wqaf Bill
Commenting on the approval of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Indian Lok Sabha, the spokesperson called it an act to dispossess Muslims from their properties, including mosques and shrines, and marginalising the minorities.
