ISLAMABAD (Rizwan Abbasi): President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have extended congratulations to the newly elected United States (US) President Donald Trump, expressing Pakistan’s desire to enhance relations with the US, the Foreign Office spokesperson announced siad.
During the weekly briefing, FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch informed journalists of a recent visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who held discussions with Pakistani leadership. Both countries condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza and exchanged views on the Middle East situation.
Baloch emphasized Pakistan’s support for the UN report on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, voicing concern over the challenges faced by UNRWA workers and the hardships encountered by Palestinians awaiting urgent medical assistance due to the Israeli attacks.
The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, urging India to recognize that force cannot suppress the will of the Kashmiri people. Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating health of Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, Baloch called for his immediate release, denouncing the “fabricated charges” imposed by Indian authorities.
The spokesperson also announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend an international conference in Riyadh on November 11 to discuss the situation in Gaza. He will also meet with OIC officials and other global leaders. Following Riyadh, the Prime Minister will proceed to Baku to participate in the COP 29 Summit, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, highlighting Pakistan’s commitment to addressing climate change impacts affecting millions in the country.
Baloch reported a successful anti-smuggling operation by Pakistani security forces 30 kilometers inside the Hanjagur area, dismissing rumors of a joint operation with Iranian forces as unfounded misinformation propagated by terrorist groups.
On Pakistan-China relations, the spokesperson affirmed that the strategic partnership between the two nations remains unaffected by seasonal or geopolitical shifts, and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the security of Chinese nationals, companies, and projects.
Baloch also confirmed active efforts by Pakistani missions for the recovery of abducted Pakistanis in East Asia, emphasizing serious measures to address this issue. Commenting on the case of detained Pakistani citizen Asif Merchant in the United States, she noted that the Pakistani Embassy in Washington is in contact with U.S. authorities, seeking consular access and additional information for nationality verification.
Addressing the recent attack on Justice Qazi Faez Isa in the United Kingdom, Baloch assured that Pakistan is in touch with British authorities to aid in the investigation.
