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Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties with Afghanistan. FM Jillani

Jalil Abbas Jilani reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties with Afghanistan

Pakistan’s national policy on Afghan refugees remains unchanged: FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch

Says ongoing operation against illegal immigrants is not targeted against any particular nationality

Says ongoing action envisages repatriation of individuals who have either overstayed their visas or do not have valid documents to stay

Says Indian forces continue to commit serious human rights violations in IIOJK

ISLAMABAD + TIBET  (  Web News )

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani met Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Tibet, China.

According to a statement issued by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on twitter on Thursday, FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties with Afghanistan. Jalil Abbas Jilani underscored that challenges confronting regional peace and stability be addressed in collaborative spirit thru collective strategies.

Afghan refugees Policy remains unchanged: FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch

Earlier Pakistan has categorically stated that ongoing operation against illegal immigrants is not targeted against any particular nationality.

Responding to questions at her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the ongoing action envisages repatriation of individuals who have either overstayed their visas or do not have the valid documents to stay.

She said Pakistan is all within parameters of its sovereign domestic laws to take action in this context. She clarified this operation has nothing to do with 1.4 million Afghan refugees that Pakistan has been hosting since decades with exemplary generosity and hospitality despite its own constrained economic situation.

The FO spokesperson said Pakistan’s national policy on Afghan refugees remains unchanged and their safe and honorable repatriation is a separate matter on which it continues to engage with Afghanistan to create conducive environment for their safe return.

Refuting media reports that Pakistan has closed transit trade with Afghanistan, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pak-Afghan bilateral trade continues but Pakistan will not accept the misuse of existing trade facilities. She said any measures taken recently or in future will be in accordance with this understanding.

To a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan has very clearly articulated its concerns over the use of Afghan soil for terrorism. He said Islamabad while believing in diplomacy and dialogue continues engagement with Kabul to fight the threat.

To another question about a report published in international media regarding India’s anti Pakistan propaganda, the spokesperson said there is irrefutable evidence of India’s involvement in terrorist activities inside Pakistan but it continues to blame Pakistan for this on fictitious grounds.

She said as Pakistani team is in India for ICC cricket world cup, it is responsibility of the host country to provide foolproof security and conducive environment to the team.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan has a clear stance that sports should not be mingled with politics and the Pakistani team is in India, not for a bilateral series but an international tournament.

Responding to delay in issuance of visas by India to Pakistanis for the World Cup, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan is in contact with Indian authorities and expects it to immediately grant visas to Pakistani journalists and spectators who wish to watch ICC matches in India.

To another question, the Spokesperson said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received the formal communication from the Election Commission to invite international observers for the upcoming general elections. She said we will facilitate the process and invite international observers in accordance with the policy and past practice.

The Foreign office spokesperson said free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council has been concluded and this is the first such agreement by the Council with any country since 2009.

She said Pakistan looks forward to early ratification and implementation of the agreement, which will enhance Pakistan’s exports to gulf countries and mark a new chapter in its economic relations with the GCC.

She said that Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani is currently in China at the special invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi for participation in the Third Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation being held in Tibet Autonomous Region from 4-5 October 2023. Initiated in 2018, the Trans-Himalaya Forum serves as a platform for regional countries to strengthen practical cooperation in connectivity, environmental preservation, ecological conservation, and the bolstering of cultural ties. This year’s theme is “Ecological Civilization and Environmental Protection.”

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that on Thursday morning, the Foreign Minister delivered the keynote address at the Opening Ceremony of the Trans-Himalaya Forum. In his address, he emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing environmental degradation, climate change, and ecological diversity loss. He underscored Pakistan’s commitment to ecological balance and urged policy coordination and experience-sharing between countries in the region. He also reaffirmed support for regional cooperation for clean and sustainable development.

She said that the Foreign Minister has held a bilateral meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Forum. Emphasizing the positive trajectory of bilateral ties, they discussed various aspects of the Pakistan-China friendship and exchanged views on regional and global matters. The two Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pledged to enhance high-level exchanges and strategic communication for continued cooperation.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in Tibet, the Foreign Minister has also met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, Sainbuyan Amarsaikha. The Foreign Minister emphasized our commitment to strengthen Pakistan-Mongolia ties which are rooted in shared cultural and historical linkages. The two Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to high-level exchanges and robust dialogue. The talks included plans to enhance bilateral trade and investment and mutually beneficial cooperation in diverse areas.

She said that the 12th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) between Pakistan and Norway was held in Islamabad yesterday. The Pakistan delegation was led by Ambassador Muhammad Saleem, Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) while the Norwegian delegation was led by Mr. Vebjorn Dysvik, Director General, Department for Regional Affairs, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She said that the two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in climate change, maritime and shipping industry, renewable energy, trade and investment, higher education and science and technology. The Pakistan side appreciated the valuable contributions by the Norwegian companies in Pakistan’s economy and invited Norway to explore further investment prospects through SIFC.

She said that Pakistan and Norway cooperate closely on bilateral and multilateral issues. Pakistani diaspora in Norway is contributing positively to Norway’s economy and society and serves as a bridge between the two countries. The BPC serves as a useful platform to review progress in existing areas of cooperation and to identify new avenues of cooperation. The 13th round of the BPC will be held in Oslo.

She said that Pakistan and GCC have concluded the negotiations on the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement. Pakistan-GCC FTA is the first such agreement concluded by GCC with any country since 2009. We look forward to the early signing, ratification, and implementation of the Agreement, which we believe will contribute to growth and mutual prosperity and mark a new chapter in economic relations between Pakistan and GCC.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at the ongoing sessions of the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council, Pakistan continues to pursue an agenda of peace, dialogue and mutual understanding between diverse religions and civilizations. In its capacity as the coordinator of Geneva-based OIC Group, Pakistan co-organized with the OIC Observer Mission in Geneva an event titled “Mapping the efficacy of normative framework on religious discrimination, intolerance and hatred”. The event aimed to raise awareness on the growing phenomenon of religious discrimination, intolerance and hatred and the need for strengthening normative framework for its redressal from a human rights perspective. This event will supplement our efforts to combat Islamophobia and all forms of discrimination, intolerance and hatred against persons based on their religious beliefs.

She said that the Indian forces continue to commit serious human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). During the month of September, the Indian troops killed 13 Kashmiris in extra-judicial killings and arrested 157 civilians and activists. Those arrested were mostly booked under the draconian laws promulgated by the occupation authorities in IIOJK — Public Safety Act (PSA) and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Such oppressive measures and human rights violations must end and the Kashmiri leaders be set free so that the Kashmiri people can freely exercise their right to self-determination, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said.

 

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