Assalam-o-Alaikum,

Thanks for joining us for the Weekly Briefing.

On 28th February 2024, Pakistan successfully completed its tenure as the Chair of the Vienna Chapter of the Group of 77 and China.

Pakistan’s focus during its chairmanship was on addressing important issues of concern for developing counties, including wars, geopolitical conflicts, climate disasters, economic hardships, poverty, and hunger. It emphasized collaboration between organizations to seek consensus-driven solutions that prioritized the needs of developing countries. It also aimed to bolster cooperation among Group members while fostering South-South and triangular partnerships.

On completion of Pakistan’s tenure, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, has reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued commitment to the Group and the values, ideals and principles it represents.

At the ongoing 55th Session of the Human Rights Council, Foreign Secretary, Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, delivered a statement reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to making 2024 pivotal for human rights, aligning with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s staunch support for promoting universal human rights and emphasized the protection and indivisibility of all human rights, both domestically and internationally. He also pledged to enhance cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms.

The Foreign Secretary urged the High Commissioner’s Office to closely monitor the situation in IIOJK, to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the human right situation there.

The Foreign Secretary has reiterated Pakistan’s demand for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, called for an end to Israel’s aggression and emphasized the need for full and effective implementation of the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice.

Last week, Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi also delivered a statement at the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament (CD). He underlined Pakistan’s position on the disturbing normalization of the threat of force and aggression, the potential escalation of unresolved disputes into full-fledged conflicts, and the expansion of arsenal and deployment of destabilizing weapon systems in pursuit of strategic dominance.

The Foreign Secretary reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to fostering a peaceful neighbourhood grounded in principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, and undiminished security for all states. He also expressed the importance of an international instrument on Negative Security Assurances, addressing military implications and artificial intelligence, and pursuing balanced reductions in armed forces and conventional armaments.

Pakistan strongly condemns yesterday’s massacre by Israel’s occupation forces of unarmed Palestinians, who were awaiting life-saving aid and food delivery in Gaza. This massacre demonstrates a blatant disregard for civility and international humanitarian law and Israel’s deliberate and inhumane policy of mass starvation.

Pakistan reiterates its call for an immediate and urgent ceasefire, lifting of the inhumane siege and unimpeded access of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. Israel must also face justice for its crimes against humanity being perpetrated with impunity against the Palestinian people.

Pakistan denounces the decision by the Indian authorities to ban the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Bhat faction), and Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Sumji faction), while extending the current ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu Kashmir for five more years.

With this decision, a total of eight Kashmiri political parties have been outlawed in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Their leadership and cadres are also facing persecution.

These oppressive measures reflect a vicious intent by India to stifle dissent and freedom of expression in IIOJK in complete disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law.

India should immediately lift the curbs on the banned Kashmiri parties; release all political prisoners and dissenters; and forthwith implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

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.

Now some upcoming diplomatic engagements.

Pakistan is hosting the 9th Pakistan-EU Political Dialogue on 06 March 2024. Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi will lead the Pakistan delegation, while Deputy Secretary General European External Action Service (EEAS) Enrique Mora will lead the EU side. The two sides will discuss implementation of the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan, counter-terrorism, as well as important regional and global developments. The last Pakistan-EU Political Dialogue took place on 22 November 2022 in Brussels.

The 5th session of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Canada is scheduled to take place in Ottawa on 05 March 2024. Pakistani side will be led by Ambassador Mariam Aftab, Additional Foreign Secretary (Americas), whereas the Canadian side will be led by Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister for Indo-Pacific, Weldon Epp. The two sides will discuss all aspects of bilateral relations and regional and global developments.

Thank you!

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Anas Mallick, Capital TV: Thank you so much Spokesperson. We saw that at least four Pakistani nationals have been indicted in the US in connection with supplying arms, Iranian arms, to the Houthis. Would you like to confirm the development and are we expecting more of these sentences and especially what does Pakistan have to say on this?

Azaz Syed, Geo News:​According to the US media, Pakistan has sought the consular access for these Pakistanis. Are we granted this access or not?​

Spokesperson: Okay. Yes, we have seen the press release issued by the US Department of Justice indicating the said charges. We are in touch with the US Embassy in Islamabad and our Mission in Washington to ascertain more facts regarding the incident and to provide consular access to the individuals following confirmation of their nationality. Any further information, when I have, will be shared.

Mr. Jaleel Akhtar, VOA Urdu: Thank you Spokesperson. Recently, some US lawmakers have urged President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken not to recognize Pakistan's new government until the allegations of fraud in the recent elections are thoroughly investigated. And they have also urged the US State Department officials to gather information about some Pakistani political activists and media personnel detained in Pakistan and advocate their release. Your comments please?

Spokesperson: Yes, we understand that such a letter has been sent by some Congressmen to the US Secretary of State. This is a communication between public officials in the United States and is not addressed to the Government of Pakistan. We therefore have no comments to offer on such letters.

Raja Mohsin Ijaz, ARY News: One political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf has written a letter to IMF. Any comments on this development please?

Spokesperson: Okay. As you know, Prime Minister has made a statement on this matter. The Ministry of Finance takes a lead on IMF related issues, so they will be in a better position to comment on this subject.

Siyar Ali Shah, Khyber News: Recently, Indian Minister for External Affairs has said that India sent a strong message to Pakistan when it did a surgical strike in Balakot and in case of cross border terrorism from Pakistan, there will be a response from India. What are your comments on this?

Spokesperson: Yes, we have seen those remarks. It is a historical fact that whenever India has engaged in a belligerent act, Pakistan has responded in a befitting manner. And Pakistan, we all remember, responded to Indian aggression in Balakot in a resolute manner. It not only downed two Indian fighter jets, but also captured an Indian pilot. Pakistan's response to any future aggression will also be similarly resolute. We believe that maintenance of peace and stability is a shared responsibility of countries in the region. Such remarks only vitiate the atmosphere in the region and they should be avoided.

Anas Mallick, Capital TV: There are reports and a question was also asked with the US State Department Spokesperson that the New York Times correspondent in Pakistan was immediately asked to leave the country. Would you want to comment, confirm or deny or put Pakistan’s perspective across on the matter?

Spokesperson: First, I think there is some misunderstanding on this question with respect to the visa status of the New York Times correspondent. The details of this can be obtained from the Ministry of Information. As I understand, this pertains to some visa related matters.

Mr. Jaleel Akhtar, VOA Urdu: A Dutch court has charged two Pakistani nationals in this week over public call for murder of far-right anti-Muslim leader Geert Wilders. The court statement said that the prosecutors had asked the Pakistani authorities to extradite the these two suspects whose age has been given 55 and 29 to stand trial in the Netherlands. My question is whether the Dutch authorities have approached Pakistan formally for the extradition of these two suspects please? Your comments.

Spokesperson: First, I would like to underline that Pakistan values its long standing and multifaceted relations with the Netherlands. And we hope that this relationship will continue to prosper in coming months and years. We have been in contact with the Government of the Netherlands and any requests from the Netherlands in this matter will be considered as per Pakistani laws.

Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News: Thank you so much. Every night or every other second night, the US State Department issues directives for Pakistan to investigate on urgent basis any, irregularity in the electoral process in Pakistan. So, since we are meeting after two weeks, how does Pakistan respond to the call from the State Department? My second question is the Caretaker Government in Pakistan, they have okayed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. Certain reports suggested that some foreign governments have already conveyed their reservations to Pakistan. Whether we have received any reservation as suggested in some of the media reports? Thank you.

Spokesperson: Regarding your second question, as you know, the Cabinet Committee on Energy has already made a decision regarding the Iran-Pakistan pipeline. Pakistan considers the Iran-Pakistan pipeline project as an important project that symbolizes friendship between the two countries. Ensuring energy security remains a top priority for the Government of Pakistan and the Iran-Pakistan pipeline, among other projects, forms an important component of Pakistan's future energy mix. The Cabinet Committee on Energy has approved the recommendations to resume work on the 80-kilometer section of the pipeline, which is inside Pakistani territory. And this is the latest development that I can share with you. I have seen certain media reports yesterday and I do not understand the basis of those reports so I would not like to comment on speculative reporting.

Shaukat Piracha: And the first question madam?

Spokesperson: I think in your question you have used some very strong words. I believe no country can give directions to Pakistan. Pakistan is an independent and sovereign country. We believe in our own sovereign right to make decisions about Pakistan's internal affairs. Pakistan is a vibrant democracy and there are mechanisms in place inside Pakistan where Pakistani people can resolve any issue pertaining to questions relating to elections or any issue relating to the democratic process in Pakistan.

Asghar Ali Mubarak, The Daily Mail International/ World Echo News: Ma’am India is continuously suppressing the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. After the recent visit of Mr. Modi, a detention process has started again, specifically youngsters are being confined. Will Pakistan raise it at OIC or United Nations to stop this as the violations are increasing rapidly there?

Spokesperson: I think maybe you came a bit late. In my opening remarks today, I spoke about the statement that the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan made at the Human Rights Council, where he outlined Pakistan's concerns about the human rights situation in Indian Illegally-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and called on United Nations to play its part in implementation of UN Security Council resolution and the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people.

Anwar Abbas, Bol News: Regarding Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, is any other country being contacted or involved in this project?

Spokesperson: To be part of the project? I am not aware of involvement of any third country in this project. But the Ministry of Petroleum can share the details with you.

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