Assalam-o-Alaikum,

Thanks for joining us for the Weekly Briefing. 
 
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is in China for an official visit. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar is accompanying the Prime Minister.
 
This morning, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held delegation-level talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The two leaders reaffirmed that Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership was characterized by mutual trust, shared principles and strategic convergence. They also expressed the unwavering support to each other on core issues.
 
The two leaders expressed continued commitment and support for the high-quality development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and timely completion of all ongoing projects. The two sides also expressed their firm commitment to protect CPEC from its detractors and adversaries. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's unflinching resolve to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel and projects in Pakistan.
 
The two sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges, including strengthening institutional linkages at all tiers and in all spheres of bilateral cooperation. Pakistan and China will also continue to consult closely on issues of regional and global significance and multilateral fora, especially during the two-year tenure of Pakistan as non-permanent member of UN Security Council. 
 
The delegation level talks were followed by an MoU signing ceremony, where 23 MoUs and agreements were signed on deepening cooperation in transport infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, media, health, water, socio-economic development and others of mutual interest. 
 
Since his arrival in China, the Prime Minister has held several meetings with Chinese investors and businesspersons to discuss and explore investment opportunities in Pakistan. In these meetings and events, including the Business Conference in Shenzhen, the Prime Minister has encouraged Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan and develop joint ventures. A number of MoUs have been signed with Chinese businesses in economy, green energy, textiles and manufacturing. 
 
The Prime Minister will later travel to the city of Xi'an where he will hold meetings with the provincial leadership and business leaders in agricultural and green energy sectors. 
 
Pakistan was elected yesterday as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2025-2026, receiving an overwhelming support of 182 members of the UN General Assembly.
 
We are grateful to all members of the UN General Assembly for their confidence in Pakistan and electing it as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. We are also grateful to the members of the Asia-Pacific Group for endorsing Pakistan's candidature for the Council.

Pakistan’s priorities at the Council would include: Just and peaceful resolution of outstanding and ongoing disputes; Opposing the resort to unilateral and illegal use or threat of use of force; Combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations; Support for effective UN peacekeeping, peace enforcement and peace building efforts; Resolution of regional and international crises; and lastly, Democracy, transparency and accountability in the decisions and deliberations of the UN Security Council.
 
Pakistan looks forward to working closely with the other members of the UN Security Council and with the broader UN Membership for upholding the UN Charter and pursuing the vision of preventing war and promoting peace, fostering global prosperity and promoting universal respect for human rights.
 
Pakistan strongly condemns the horrific bombing of Israeli forces on the UNRWA run Al-Sardi School in Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza that led to multiple deaths of mostly women and children. This attack is another crime in a series of attacks against civilians including an IDP camp last week that resulted in deaths of 45 Palestinians.     
 
The deliberate targeting of civilian population and facilities is a grave violation of international law and constitutes war crimes.
 
Pakistan also strongly condemns the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by hundreds of Israeli extremists under the protection of Israeli police forces. The reprehensible act violates decades-long international agreements and international norms on respect for religious sites.
 
Under international law, it is the responsibility of the occupation authorities to respect religious sites. Israeli occupation forces should therefore ensure the security of Al-Quds. We reiterate our call for an urgent and unconditional ceasefire, for an immediate end to the massacre of the civilians and to hold Israel accountable for its crimes.
 
The human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue unabated. There are reports that a Kashmiri civilian, Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed Pallah, was tortured to death this week at a police station in the Pulwama district of IIOJK. This is not the first incident of its kind. Over the last three decades, the number of custodial deaths in IIOJK has exceeded seven thousand. The perpetrators of these crimes should be held accountable.
 
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.
 
We express our deepest condolences and sympathies with the government of Tunisia and the family and friends of Tunisia’s Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Borhene El Kamel on his sad demise. He lost his battle with cancer yesterday; Ambassador Borhene El Kamel was a sincere friend of Pakistan who made important contributions in promoting Pakistan-Tunisia relations. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi have expressed their condolences on the sad demise of Ambassador Kamel.
 
An upcoming visit announcement.
 
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will undertake a one-day visit to Istanbul, Türkiye to attend the Extraordinary Meeting of the D-8 Council of Foreign Ministers.
 
The meeting is being held to discuss the “Situation in Gaza” at the initiative of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Türkiye Hakan Fidan. The D-8 Foreign Ministers will deliberate upon the shared responsibility of the international community to bring an urgent and unconditional ceasefire and an end to the inhumane and unjustified war on the people of Gaza. 
 
The Deputy Prime Minister will present Pakistan’s stance on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the urgency of an unconditional ceasefire, lifting of the siege and humanitarian relief for the Palestinian people. He will also call for unified international efforts to bring an end to the war being waged against the people of Gaza and the war crimes being perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces. 
 
On the sidelines, the Deputy Prime Minister is also expected to meet the Foreign Ministers in attendance. 
 
Thank you!

1.    (Rizwan Abbasi, Daily Ausaf): Ma’am, an international conference regarding Gaza is going to be held in Jordan. Will Pakistani delegation participate in this conference?

Spokesperson: We have received an invitation for the conference. Decisions regarding Pakistan's participation are under consideration and will be announced soon.

2.    (Adeel Bashir, Roze News): My question is regarding Pakistan-India relations in the background of the latest Indian elections. National Democratic (Alliance) government is going to be formed soon. So, what are the expectations of Pakistan with the new government which is going to be formed? And secondly, any invitation, any high-profile invitation, for Pakistan for the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Modi?

Spokesperson: I think this question is premature, as we understand the process of formation of government is ongoing. So, I am not in a position to comment on your question.

3.    (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): You said that the Prime Minister has shown unflinching resolve on safety and security of Chinese nationals in the meeting with the Chinese Premier. With regards to the Besham incident, was that taken up during these recent meetings, and has the Chinese side agreed to what the Pakistani side has said on their part of findings?

Spokesperson: As I said, this meeting between the two leaders took place early this morning and I have shared with you the broad contours of the discussion that took place today. I do not have a complete readout of the meeting. However, I can confirm that Pakistan and China have been engaged with each other on all aspects of investigation into the Besham incident and Pakistan's strong commitment to hold the perpetrators to account. 

4.    (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Saudi Arabia has arrested two Pakistani nationals yesterday on charges of committing Hajj fraud and issuing fraudulent permits. Any comments that Pakistan might have to offer?

Spokesperson: I do not have this information with me. Perhaps the Hajj directorate or the relevant ministries would have more information. 

5.    (Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): If you kindly allow me two questions at the same time. In India, around nine hundred million people voted. Whatever the government is formed, that’s the decision of the Indian people. What are expectations in Pakistan, being an immediate neighbour, from this new government, whosoever comes into power? My second question is the Prime Minister was received in the Great Hall of the People. The important meeting with President Xi Jinping will also take place. What's new that the two countries will start from now onward as in the last briefing you said that there will be a new trajectory in the strategic partnership between the two countries? What should we expect? Phase-two CPEC is being talked about, ML-I is being talked about, so many industrial relocation projects are being discussed. What is so important that I can say as a citizen of this country that Pakistan-China friendship has delivered this after this visit of the Prime Minister?

Spokesperson: I would first like to perhaps comment on the premise of your question. Pakistan-China relations are time-tested and this relationship has served both countries well over the last several decades. It is a mutually beneficial partnership and every time our leaders meet, we reaffirm this friendship and partnership. We recommit to going forward in a positive direction in building on the momentum of our relationship and to ensure that no adversary of Pakistan or China can create trouble for this relationship. This visit is therefore important to further reaffirm the all-weather strategic partnership and to set a robust agenda for the future. As far as the details of the meetings, which have been held or are being held, we will be able to give you more details once all the official meetings have been held. As I said just now, the meeting with Premier Li Qiang just took place this morning. And later today, the Prime Minister will meet with President Xi Jinping and the Chairman of the National People's Congress, Chairman Zhao Leji. We will be able to share more details of our understandings by the end of the visit. 

Regarding your first question, Pakistan has always desired cooperative relations with all its neighbours including India. We have consistently advocated constructive dialogue and engagement to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. However, India's actions of 5th of August 2019 in IIOJK have vitiated the bilateral environment. We have also observed an increase in vitriolic rhetoric against Pakistan, especially during the recent electoral campaign in India. In any case, Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence. We want peace and stability in the region and Pakistan has been acting in a responsible manner, notwithstanding the difficulties and rhetoric coming from India. We hope that India will take steps to create a conducive environment for advancement of peace and dialogue and resolution of long-standing dispute for the mutual benefit of the peoples of Pakistan and India.

6.    (Afzal Reza, IRNA): The meeting of the regional contact group for Afghanistan will be held in Tehran tomorrow. Special Envoys of Iran, China, Russia, are participating in the meeting. Can you confirm that Ambassador Durrani will also be in Tehran tomorrow as the head of delegation of Pakistan? If yes, ma’am, what’s Islamabad’s position regarding the importance and the constructive engagement by the regional contact group for Afghanistan?

Spokesperson: Yes, I can confirm that Pakistan's Special Representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Asif Durrani, will attend the quadrilateral meeting being held in Iran. This we believe is an important forum. It is important for the regional countries, especially the neighbours of Afghanistan, to consult and work together for ensuring peace, stability and security in Afghanistan, to ensure that Afghanistan is not a source of terrorism in the region and to support Afghanistan’s efforts for the economic well-being of its people. 

7.    (Raziq Mehmood Bhatti, Daily Kashmir Express): Azad Kashmir’s people were invited to participate on 12 seats in the electoral process of India. Similarly, Muslims who are in IIOJK have been threatened that if they won’t cast their vote according to the will of the Indian government, they would not be awarded government jobs. Your comments please.

Spokesperson: I would like to reiterate that any facade of electoral exercises in IIOJK cannot override the reality of international law, under which the decision of the future of the Kashmir is to be determined by the people of Kashmir, according to the United Nations Security Council resolutions. We, therefore, urge India to faithfully implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and to stop intimidating the Kashmiri people. 

8.    (Aijaz Ahmed, GNN): When I was coming here, there was a news that 40 Palestinians were martyred in an attack on UN refugees camp and there was another news that Israel have used Indian missiles. Your comments please.

Spokesperson: We have expressed our condemnation of the Israeli attack on the camp in Gaza in my opening statement of today. Regarding your second question, we have seen some media reports. Pakistan has always said that it is important that indiscriminate attacks against the people of Palestine and people of Gaza should end. Our position in that respect is very clear and has been consistently articulated.

9.    (Ali Hussain, Business Recorder): Have we officially congratulated Mr. Modi on his elections as Prime Minister for the third term? And what is our official take on the election that has been held in India?

Spokesperson: First, as I said last time, it is the right of the people of India to decide about their own leadership. We do not have any comments on their electoral process. Regarding your first question, I think this question is premature. As far as I understand, the process of formation of government is ongoing. 

11.    (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Sarim Burney, a prominent rights activist was arrested upon arrival from the US and the State Department has said that they continue to work with the Pakistani authorities with regards to human trafficking. Can you enlighten with regard to the nature of complaint? How was it received? When was it received? And last week you said that Pakistan has received the invite for the Ukraine peace conference, and deliberations are still ongoing with the level of participation. We're a week away from that conference. If there is a decision, can you let us know that?

Spokesperson: On your second question, I do not have any update for now. On your first question, this case is under investigation by FIA and our law enforcement authorities. They are in a better position to share with you all the details about this case.

12.    (Anwar Abbas, 24 News): I just want to know your comments regarding the recent European Union report on human rights that has criticized Pakistan and levelled many allegations against Pakistan.

Spokesperson: Pakistan is a country with its laws and Constitution. The Constitution guarantees human rights protections and our courts underwrite the fundamental freedoms and human rights of individuals in light of Pakistani laws and Pakistani Constitution. In all cases, Pakistani law will take precedence irrespective of any biased and irrelevant commentary from foreign governments or entities. Pakistan undertakes its constitutional obligations seriously which guarantee human rights and we do not need advice from others to fulfil our constitutional obligations.

13.    (Naveed Siddique, Daily Dateline): Violent protest erupted in Chaman for the opening of border crossing points, especially Badini, and there are reports that Pakistan Embassy in Kabul and other consulates are denying or discouraging visa applications from Afghans. What are your comments please?

Spokesperson: I will, first of all, refute your second question. Our missions process all applications, which are submitted, according to set procedures and decisions are taken with regards to issuance of visas according to Pakistani laws and regulations. And that is the case with our embassy in Afghanistan as well. So, they process any applications that come according to Pakistani laws and grant visas in light of the available guidelines. With regards to the Chaman situation, I would like to refer you to the Home Department in Balochistan who would be in a better position to share with you the situation there. However, Pakistan has said repeatedly that the movement of individuals across the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan should take place on the basis of valid visa and valid passport. That is the case of Pakistan's visa arrangements with our other neighbours, and we believe that time has come for Pakistan and Afghanistan to have a similar arrangement. Any individual who wishes to travel to Pakistan should come here on valid visa and a genuine, valid Afghan passport.

15.    (Mariam Elahi, Dunya News): Madam Spokesperson, I would want to question something regarding a flight that took place from Islamabad to Jeddah yesterday. The flight actually made an emergency landing in Muscat and as per the reports, the passengers are complaining that the authorities there, the Omani authorities as well as our Embassy in Muscat are not facilitating. The flight has been there for like 20-plus hours now. Do you have any update on that Madam?

Spokesperson: I do not have the update on that case. I would not like to comment on an ongoing situation which pertains to a foreign commercial airline. I can reassure you that Pakistan's Embassy in Oman remains in contact with the relevant authorities to facilitate Pakistanis whenever in distress. 

Thank You! 

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