Ambassador Aisha Farooqui Highlights Pakistan’s Diplomatic Role, Regional Security and Pakistan-Portugal Relations

Ambassador Aisha Farooqui gave an interview to Mr. Leonidio Ferreira that was published in Diario de Noticias, the largest Portuguese language newspaper, on 13 August 2026.

Ambassador Aisha Farooqui highlighted Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement for peace and regional stability amid the conflict involving the United States and Iran. She underscored that Pakistan’s role was rooted in its geography, regional responsibilities and longstanding relations with the countries concerned. She also emphasised that Pakistan’s relations with the United States and China were not mutually exclusive, describing both partnerships as longstanding and strategically important.

Commenting on the Joint Defence Agreement signed in Mecca on 7 August 2026 among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, the Ambassador said the agreement reflected years of strategic cooperation among the three countries rather than a response to the recent regional conflict. She characterised the trilateral arrangement as defensive in nature, aimed at collective deterrence and regional stability, and stressed that it was not directed against any country.

On Pakistan-India relations, Ambassador Farooqui reiterated Pakistan’s position that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the core issue between the two countries. Referring to the military confrontation of May 2025, she stated that India had crossed the international border and attacked Pakistani cities, to which Pakistan responded appropriately. She expressed particular concern over India’s announced suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, describing threats to restrict water flows to Pakistan as a dangerous form of water weaponisation.

Regarding Pakistan-Portugal relations, Ambassador Farooqui described bilateral ties as cordial and noted that the two countries have maintained diplomatic relations for 75 years. She identified economic cooperation as a key priority, alongside cultural exchanges, tourism and people-to-people contacts. She highlighted the forthcoming visit of Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel to Islamabad in the second half of 2026 as an important opportunity to impart renewed momentum to bilateral relations. She also referred to the Bilateral Political Consultations held in July 2026 and identified agriculture, particularly olive-oil production, and fisheries as promising areas for enhanced cooperation. Pakistan has invited the Portuguese Agriculture Minister and Portuguese companies to visit Pakistan to explore opportunities in these sectors.