Pakistan is deeply concerned over the planned transfer of US advanced military technologies to India: FO
Says such steps accentuate military imbalances in the region & undermine strategic stability
ISLAMABAD ( WEB NEWS )
Pakistan is deeply concerned over the planned transfer of US advanced military technologies to India.
FO stated, “Such steps accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability. They remain unhelpful in achieving the objective of a durable peace in South Asia.”
“We urge our international partners to take a holistic and objective view of the issues of peace and security in South Asia and refrain from endorsing positions that are one-sided and divorced from ground realities,” it stated.
It stated, “On the invitation of Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif, President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Pakistan from February12-13 , 2025. President Erdogan was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers and senior officials, as well as corporate leaders.”
“President Erdogan also had friendly meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. Together with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he addressed the Pakistan-Türkiye Business and Investment Forum, bringing together leading investors, companies and business people from both sides,” it added.
“During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Erdogan co-chaired the 7thSession of the Pakistan-Türkiye High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC). At the conclusion of the session, a Joint Declaration and a number of important agreements/MoUs were signed. The two leaders also addressed a joint press stakeout. Key points of the joint declaration at the end of the HLSCC included: Both sides agreed to give further impetus to the existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all spheres including, inter alia, defense, trade, investment, banking, finance, education, health, energy, culture, tourism, transport and communication, agriculture, water, science and technology,” it stated.
“Joint Working Group have been renamed as Joint Standing Committees (JSCs). New JSCs, namely “Security, Defence and Intelligence JSC”, “Health JSC” and “Science and Technology JSC”, have been established under the HLSCC. Both sides exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. The two sides underscored the need for resolution of all outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people. In this regard, Pakistan expressed its deep appreciation for Türkiye’s principled stance on the issue,” it further stated.
It stated, “The two countries reiterated full and resolute support for the efforts towards the just, lasting, and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue. Pakistan reaffirmed its support to the Turkish Cypriots and Türkiye in this regard. Türkiye expresses its deep appreciation for Pakistan’s principled stance on the issue.”
“Both sides reiterated their support for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and they further underscored that Afghanistan should not become a safe haven for terrorist groups. All necessary measures to counter terrorism need to be taken by interim Afghan authorities including against TTP and DAESH, which remain listed under the 1267 UNSC sanctions regime,” it added.
“The two sides expressed their grave concern at the unprecedented loss of lives and property as well as displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians as a result of indiscriminate use of force by Israel,” it stated.
It added, “At the invitation of Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif went on a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 10-11 February 2025 to participate in the World Governments Summit (WGS) in Dubai.”
Pakistan strongly condemned in unequivocal terms the recent statement by Israeli Prime Minister suggesting that the Palestinian people should establish a state in Saudi Arabia.
The remarks by Israel are irresponsible, provocative and thoughtless, and are offending, undermining and disregarding the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an independent state on their own historical and legitimate territory.
Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and any attempt to undermine Saudi Arabia’s unwavering position and misrepresentation of its commitment to the Palestinian cause is deeply regrettable.
“We consider the Pakistan-specific reference in the ‘India-U.S. Joint Statement of February 13, 2025 as one-sided, misleading and contrary to diplomatic norms,” it stated.
“We are surprised that the reference has been added to the Joint Statement notwithstanding Pakistan’s counterterrorism cooperation with the United States. Such references cannot cover up India’s sponsorship of terrorism, subversion and extrajudicial assassinations in the region and beyond; nor can they shift international attention from the stark reality of India being a safe haven for the perpetrators of hate crimes against Muslims and other minorities,” it added.
The ‘Joint Statement’ fails to address non-compliance of India with UNSC resolutions which is the key source of tension and instability in the region and to take cognizance of the grim human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). Regrettably, this is tantamount to abdication of international responsibility.
The international community recognizes Pakistan’s efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. As a country that has enormously suffered from terrorism, Pakistan would continue to contribute constructively to the regional and global efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. It remains committed to bring the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion by eliminating this scourge from its soil. Pakistan also remains committed to continue with counter terrorism efforts to address the issue of terrorism including acts of terrorism perpetrated by foreign elements.
Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held telephonic conversations with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi; Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Badr Abdelatty; Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan; Foreign Minister of Malaysia, Dato Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan; Foreign Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Deputy Prime Minister& Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
The 2nd round of Pakistan-Qatar Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) was held on 10 February, 2025 in Doha. Foreign Secretary, Ms. Amna Baloch led the Pakistan delegation, while the Qatari side was headed by State Minister for Foreign Affairs, State of Qatar, Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi.
The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including; political, economic, consular and people-to-people contacts and exchanged views on regional and international issues; and reaffirmed commitment for continued collaboration and consultations.
The second round of Pakistan-Türkiye Counter-Terrorism Consultations were held in Islamabad on 10 February 2025. Pakistan delegation was led by Director General for Counter Terrorism at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Abdul Hameed and the Turkish side was headed by Director General for Intelligence and Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Ambassador KenanYilmaz.
Both sides reviewed the global and regional terrorism landscape; exchanged views on threats posed by terrorist entities in the region and beyond; shared their best practices and reviewed the ongoing Pakistan-Türkiye cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism.
Let me also extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the victims and the families of the recent incident of boat that capsized near the port of Marsa Dela, North West of Zawiya city, Libya. Initial reports suggested that there were 63 Pakistanis on the boat and so far 16 dead bodies have been recovered. Pakistani nationality of the victims were established on the basis of their passports. There are 37 survivors including 1 in hospital and 33 in police custody. Reportedly, around 10 Pakistanis were missing in the accident. Three of the survivors are in Tripoli and being looked after by the Embassy.
The list containing details of the dead bodies so far identified as Pakistani nationals has already been shared with the media. Our Embassy in Tripoli is in the process of gathering further information and maintaining contact with the local authorities.
“We have learnt with grave concern, that last week, two Kashmiri youth lost their lives in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) due to the high-handed approach of the Indian forces. There are reports that a 25-year-old man, committed suicide after severe torture by police in Kathua district. He recorded a video before his death maintaining that police officers coerced him into confessing links with militants, despite being innocent,” FO stated.
“The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, will travel to New York to participate in the high-level meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on “Practicing Multilateralism: Reforming and Improving Global Governance”, scheduled to be held from 18th February 2025,” it stated.
The meeting has been convened by China under its rotating presidency of the Security Council for the month of February 2025. It will be chaired by Wang Yi, the Foreign Minister of China.
On the sidelines of the UNSC meeting, DPM/FM is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts, as well as senior UN officials.