Pak strongly condemns provocative & sacrilegious remarks regarding Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH made by a Hindu priest: Mumtaz Zahra Baloch
Says Pakistan is deeply concerned at the recent developments with respect to IIOJK
FO Spokesperson says Pak categorically rejects the frivolous statement made by spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan
The Saudi delegation is scheduled to meet with the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Says the statement constitutes an unacceptable & deplorable interference in the domestic affairs of Pakistan
ISLAMABAD ( WEB NEWS )
Pakistan has strongly condemned the provocative and sacrilegious remarks regarding Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) made by a Hindu priest Yati Narsinghan.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch at a news briefing in Islamabad on Monday, said the remarks have gravely hurt the feelings of the people of Pakistan and Muslims around the world.
The FO spokesperson urged the Indian authorities to hold the priest to account and take immediate action to curb the growing tide of religious intolerance and hate speech targeting Muslims in India.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack near the Karachi airport Monday night, which claimed the lives of two Chinese nationals while injuring another. We extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, and offer prayers for the swift recovery of the injured.
She said that this barbaric act will not go unpunished. Pakistan’s security and law enforcement agencies will spare no effort in apprehending the perpetrators and their facilitators. This act of terrorism is an attack not only on Pakistan but also on the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China. We will bring to justice those responsible for this cowardly attack, including the Majeed Brigade.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in close contact with the Chinese Embassy for coordination and facilitation. Pakistan and China are close partners and iron-brothers, united by a bond of mutual respect and shared destiny. Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects, and institutions in Pakistan, and will continue to work hand in hand with our Chinese brothers to defeat the forces of terror.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that as we complete a year of Israel’s war on the people of Gaza, we honour the 42,000 lives lost, overwhelmingly women and children.
She said that Pakistan remains deeply concerned about the starvation and genocide of the people of Gaza. The past year has seen Israel’s indiscriminate and horrifying attacks on civilian targets, including hospitals, schools, and shelters.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that this week, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on Khalifa Ben Zayed school in northern Gaza, the mosque in Deir Al Balah in central Gaza and the refugee camps in Jabalia and Tulkarm. These attacks, which claimed the lives of innocent civilians, including children and women represent egregious war crimes being committed by Israeli occupation forces with impunity.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that as we reflect on the last year of the conflict, we call upon the United Nations Security Council to act decisively and impose an immediate and permanent ceasefire protecting the people of Gaza. Israel shall be held accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan is deeply concerned at the recent developments with respect to IIOJK, as a Tribunal handling matters under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), has upheld the Indian Home Ministry’s decision to extend the ban on the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) as an unlawful association for an additional five years. We also remain concerned at the continued incarceration of the leader of JKLF, Mr. Yasin Malik, who has been framed in fictitious cases and is facing a death sentence.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that we urge the Indian authorities to immediately release Muhammad Yasin Malik, and lift ban on JKLF and other outlawed political parties.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
Meanwhile Mumtaz Zahra Baloch announced that a high-level Saudi delegation, led by Minister for Investment Engineer Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, will visit Pakistan from 9 to 11 October 2024. The delegation comprises representatives from a wide spectrum of Government agencies and private sector entities.
The Saudi delegation is scheduled to meet with the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. This visit is aimed at lending positive impetus to enhanced bilateral cooperation and mutually rewarding economic partnership.
The visit comes in the follow-up of the understanding reached between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, HRH Mohammad bin Salmanin April 2024, to enhance economic cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan will host the Twenty-third meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member States from 15 to 16 October 2024 in Islamabad. CHG is the second highest decision-making body of the SCO.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that in his capacity as the current Chair of CHG, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will preside over the upcoming CHG Meeting. We expect high level participations from SCO members; the observer state of Mongolia; Turkmenistan as a special guest; and representatives of the international organizations including Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and European Economic Community (EEC).
She said that the CHG meeting will discuss cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, environment, socio-cultural linkages as well as reviewing the performance of the Organization. The leaders will adopt important organizational decisions to further enhance cooperation among SCO member States and approve the budget of the Organization.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that since becoming a member in 2017, Pakistan has worked consistently and constructively to strengthen good neighbourly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation among SCO member States. Hosting of CHG by Pakistan reflects the abiding commitment of Pakistan to the purposes and principles of the SCO Charter and the values of “Shanghai spirit.”
Meanwhile in response to media queries regarding the statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said that Pakistan categorically rejects the frivolous statement made by spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan on Sunday.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the statement constitutes an unacceptable and deplorable interference in the domestic affairs of Pakistan.
She said that instead of lecturing a democratic country, the AIG should focus on fixing its own domestic problems; prioritize inclusivity; and be responsive to needs and aspirations of its own people including the right to education for women and girls rather than curtailing their rights through misguided interpretation of religion.
The AIG should also deliver on the commitments given to the international community by denying space to terror groups which are seriously threatening peace and security in neighbouring countries; and by preventing Afghanistan from becoming once again the centre of global terrorism.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Pakistan remains committed to peace, dialogue, and cooperation in the region and expects all states, including Afghanistan, to adhere to the basic norms of responsible international conduct and interstate relations.