There is no change in its policy on J&K dispute: FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan
Says Pakistan remains committed to peace & security in the region
Says there is no change in Pakistan’s stance on Dr. Aafia Siddiqui issue
ISLAMABAD, August 01, (SABAH): Pakistan has categorically stated that there is no change in its policy on Jammu and Kashmir dispute and different insinuations about the statement of the Deputy Prime Minister’s remarks on Jammu and Kashmir are baseless and uncalled for.
At his weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Friday, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan has consistently maintained that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be determined in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Replying to a question about Pakistan’s relations with Iran, the Spokesperson said both are very close and neighbouring countries and friends. Pakistan remains committed to peace and security in the region and is open to play any positive contribution to bring the tensions down and promote diplomatic solutions to the problems, and we will continue to play it.
He said that Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless assertions and provocative claims made by the Indian leaders during the Lok Sabha debate on the so-called “Operation Sindoor.” These statements reflect a dangerous tendency to distort facts, justify aggression, and glorify conflict for domestic consumption.
He said that the world knows that India attacked Pakistan without any verifiable evidence or a credible investigation into the Pahalgam Attack. During the intervening night of 6 and 7 May 2025, India’s targeting of the alleged terrorist infrastructure resulted actually in the martyrdom of innocent men, women, and children. India failed to achieve any of its strategic objectives. On the other hand, Pakistan’s resounding success in neutralising the Indian fighter jets and military targets is an indisputable fact.
FO spokesperson said that instead of misleading their compatriots, the Indian leaders would be well-advised to acknowledge the losses incurred by their armed forces and accept the active role played by the third parties in realising the ceasefire.
He said that India did not avail itself of the immediate offer made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan for a transparent and independent probe into the Pahalgam Attack. Instead, it chose the path of belligerence and aggression. It acted as a judge, jury, and executioner at the same time. Against this backdrop, any claims regarding the so-called “Operation Mahadev” do not hold any significance for us. The account given by the Indian Home Minister is replete with fabrications, leading to serious questions about its credibility. Is it a mere coincidence that the alleged perpetrators of the Pahalgam Attack were killed at the start of the Lok Sabha debate?
Shafqat Ali Khan said we also reiterate our unequivocal rejection of the ceaseless Indian statements on establishing a “new normal” in bilateral relations. As we have already shown through our resolute actions in May 2025, we shall forcefully counter any future aggression. For us, the only “normal” in bilateral relations is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and adherence to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.
He said that the Indian narrative of an alleged “nuclear blackmail” by Pakistan is a misleading and self-serving construct, and an attempt to veil its own escalatory impulses while shifting blame onto Pakistan. It is well known that Pakistan deterred India through its conventional capabilities, affirming that discipline and restraint remain its guiding principles.
Shafqat Ali Khan said we also wish to register our disapproval of the Indian leaders’ misplaced assertions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. India’s decision to hold the Treaty in abeyance shows its blatant disregard for the sanctity of international treaties and strikes at a fundamental pillar of regional cooperation. Instead of taking pride in a unilateral and illegal move, India must immediately fulfill its Treaty obligations.
He said that India’s continued reliance on disinformation, jingoism, and chest-thumping risks destabilizing South Asia. However, as a responsible country, Pakistan remains committed to peace, regional stability, and a meaningful dialogue for resolution of all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.”
About the Deputy Prime Minister’s alleged statement on Dr. Aafia Siddiqui issue, he categorically stated there is no change in Pakistan’s stance on the issue.
The Spokesperson said the remarks, mentioning in Dr. Aafia Siddiqui case during the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s talk at the Atlantic Council in the United States, are being completely misconstrued. The PML-N government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has consistently pursued diplomatic and legal avenues to secure Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release from the US custody and remains committed to this cause.
Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan has prioritized Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case since conviction in 2010. Pakistan has worked to uphold Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s rights and humanitarian concerns through high level diplomacy, clemency request, consular access and legal support. He regretted the attempts on social media to misrepresent the government’s efforts in this regard.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson said government will continue to tirelessly pursue the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui while upholding international law and bilateral cooperation.
He said that the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, was on an official visit to the United States from 20-28 July 2025, to attend high-level signature events of Pakistan’s UN Security Council (UNSC) Presidency in New York, as well as for certain engagements in Washington.
On 24 July 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, in addition, chaired a high-level briefing of the UN Security Council focusing on enhancing cooperation between the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
In his capacity as the President of the UNSC, the DPM/FM delivered Pakistan’s statement at the Council’s briefing. In his national statement, the DPM/FM described the OIC, the second largest inter-governmental organization after the UN, as a bridge – connecting the global with regional efforts and aligning political with humanitarian priorities. He said, the OIC’s legitimacy derives not only from its vast and diverse membership, but from the principled clarity of its mandate — to uphold justice, protect human dignity, respect national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all Member States, and advance solidarity among nations.
The DPM/FM appreciated the OIC’s role in championing the right of the Palestinian people to freedom and statehood, in advocating for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to self-determination, and end to the prolonged illegal occupation by India, and in supporting peace efforts across Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Sahel and beyond.
The UN Security Council also adopted a Presidential Statement (S/PRST/2025/5) during the same session under Pakistan’s Presidency. The DPM/FM thanked all UNSC members for their constructive engagement in agreeing on a Presidential Statement (PRST) that will go a long way towards further strengthening the partnership and cooperation between the UN and the OIC.
On 25 July 2025, the DPM/FM travelled to Washington D.C. where he met the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed the commitment to long-term Pakistan-US partnership, with renewed focus on economic, trade, investment, information technology, artificial intelligence and counter terrorism cooperation. They further exchanged views on key regional and global developments. Both sides reiterated the importance of close coordination at multilateral fora, including in the UN Security Council. Pakistan appreciated the United States’ constructive role in facilitating the recent Pakistan-India ceasefire.
At the invitation of the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, and the Foreign Minister of France, Jean-Noel Barrot, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, represented Pakistan at the opening segment of the UN High-Level International Conference on “The Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution” co-hosted by Saudi Arabia and France, on 28 July 2025.
The DPM/FM met the Prime Minister of Palestine, Dr. Muhammad Mustafa; Foreign Minister of Egypt, Dr. Badr Abdelatty; Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Md. Touhid Hossain; Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Abdullah Al-Yahya; and the Foreign Minister of Norway, Essen Barth Eide, on the sidelines of the International Conference on the Two-State Solution.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, also held a productive meeting with American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APPAC) in New York on 27 July 2025. He appreciated APPAC’s sustained efforts in diaspora empowerment, policy advocacy, and community leadership.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, engaged with the Pakistani American Community in New York on 27 July 2025.
On 27 July 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, spoke with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Both leaders discussed the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza impacting millions of Palestinian residents. The DPM/FM expressed the hope of achieving meaningful outcomes from the high-level international conference on Palestine and implementation of the two-state solution scheduled to be held in New York tomorrow. They also exchanged views about an exchange of a high-level visit to Pakistan in the near future.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, spoke with the Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan on 28 July 2025. The two leaders strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing atrocities in Gaza and expressed grave concern over the deepening humanitarian catastrophe, including starvation, forced displacement, and loss of innocent lives. Expressing unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their just cause, they hoped for meaningful outcomes from the international conference on the implementation of the two-state solution, held in New York.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, spoke to the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio on telephone on 28 July 2025. Following up on their productive meeting last Friday in Washington D.C., they discussed key bilateral matters, including tariffs, as well as regional & global issues of mutual interest.
Pakistan welcomes the successful conclusion of the special meeting hosted by Malaysia on the Cambodia-Thailand situation. We appreciate the spirit of dialogue and express hope for a peaceful resolution through diplomacy and regional cooperation.
The inaugural session of the Pakistan-Türkiye Joint Standing Committee (JSC) on Security, Defence and Intelligence was held on 24 July 2025 in Islamabad. The Turkish delegation was led by Director General for South Asia, Ambassador Cihad Erginay, and the Pakistan side was headed by Additional Secretary (Afghanistan & West Asia), Ambassador Syed Ali Asad Gillani.
Chinese Special Envoy on Afghan Affairs, Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong, called on Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Amna Baloch, on 26 July 2025 in Islamabad. The two sides exchanged views on regional cooperation and security challenges. They reaffirmed their commitment to work together to achieve the common goal of regional peace and development.
Additional Foreign Secretary, Hamid Asghar, represented Pakistan at the OIC Contact Group on Somalia, which was hosted by the State of Qatar in Doha on 28 July 2025. The Additional Foreign Secretary called on the Foreign Minister of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, on the sidelines of the conference and discussed enhanced training in different fields, naval capacity building, direct shipping between Karachi and Mogadishu, defence collaboration, medical visas and provision of pharmaceuticals and health care products.
Shafqat Ali Khan said that in a major milestone for space exploration and technological progress, Pakistan today successfully launched its Remote Sensing Satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre (XSLC) in China.
The satellite will provide high-resolution, round-the-clock imaging, significantly strengthening Pakistan’s capabilities in urban planning, infrastructure development, disaster management and mitigation, agricultural monitoring, food security, environmental protection, deforestation tracking, climate change analysis, and water resource management.