Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan has said Pakistan will welcome the United States or any other country’s interest towards the resolution of Kashmir issue.
Responding to a question during his weekly briefing in Islamabad on Friday, he said Islamabad wants to take the route of diplomacy to sort out issues but it is India to decide. He said so far there are no contacts between Pakistan and India, except for the routine diplomatic engagements.
Replying to another question regarding the media reports that India is working on giving the status of statehood to Jammu and treating the rest of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir differently, the Spokesperson said Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir is very clear. It is a disputed territory and its final status is to be determined in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Besides, India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5th August 2019 were in breach of UN Charter, the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention. Further steps in pursuance of these actions if any will constitute a similar breach.
Regarding banning of books of renowned authors Arundhati Roy and Maulana Abul A’la al-Maududi by the local authorities in the IIOJK, Shafqat Ali Khan said it is another demonstration of draconian and illegal Indian rule in Kashmir.
Answering a question, the Foreign Office Spokesperson ruled out any secret agreement with the United States regarding precious natural resources of Pakistan or compromising country’s national interests.
Responding to a question, Shafqat Ali Khan said India is fanning terrorism inside Pakistan. He said insurgency in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is emanating from Afghanistan. He said Pakistan has been drawing attention of the Afghan authorities towards terrorists’ sanctuaries in Afghanistan. He said a stable Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan.
Replying to a question, the Spokesperson said Russia is very important priority in Pakistan’s foreign policy and two sides have been working together to further consolidate their friendly relations. He said these ties not only serve the interests of both the countries but also contribute to regional stability.
