Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan has reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm support for Palestine, denied recent allegations made by the Ukrainian President, and clarified several matters of bilateral and regional importance during the weekly press briefing.
Khan said that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during his official visit to Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, thanked Pakistan for its continued support. The visit included meetings with President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. President Zardari condemned Israeli aggression against Iran, and Prime Minister Sharif expressed condolences for Iranian citizens martyred during the twelve-day war.
The spokesperson highlighted that humanitarian assistance had been dispatched to Gaza on the prime minister’s instructions. The Minister for Information oversaw the departure of the eighteenth aid consignment today.
Referring to recent allegations by the Ukrainian President, Khan said Pakistan had rejected the statement and confirmed that Ukraine had shared no evidence with Islamabad. "Pakistan will raise the issue with Ukraine and remains committed to a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict," he said.
He clarified that Pakistan has no diplomatic relations with Israel and the Pakistani passport explicitly restricts citizens from travelling to Israel. "Given the atrocities in Gaza, any question of engagement with Israel does not arise. Our position remains consistent and clear," he added.
Regarding Kashmir, the spokesperson stated that August 5 was observed as Youm-e-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation) across Pakistan. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar sent letters to the United Nations, calling for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan also welcomed the offer of mediation made by the President of the United States, while urging India to respond seriously.
On Afghanistan, Khan said that Pakistan had upgraded the diplomatic status of the Afghan Ambassador, a step carried out in accordance with mutual agreements and without requiring the presentation of credentials to the President.
He avoided direct comment on the UN travel ban concerning the Afghan Foreign Minister but said preparations for Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming UN General Assembly session were under way.
Addressing a separate matter, Khan said the issue of visas for the sons of the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior. "We act upon the directives received from the relevant ministry," he said.
He said that terrorist incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa originate from Afghan sanctuaries, adding that India has a direct role in these activities.
He made it clear there are no secret agreements with the United States regarding Pakistan’s mineral resources, including metals.
