Ladies and Gentlemen, Assalam-o-Alaikum,

I welcome you all to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will undertake official visits to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Türkiye from 3-5 July 2026.

He will be accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, along with other Cabinet Ministers and senior officials.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Iran to participate in the funeral ceremony of the Late Supreme Leader, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The Prime Minister will convey condolences on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan to the Iranian leadership and the bereaved families, while reaffirming solidarity with the brotherly nation in this hour of profound grief.

Prime Minister will proceed to Istanbul, Türkiye at the invitation of the President of Türkiye, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan to hold discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations with a special focus on giving impetus to bilateral trade and investment cooperation between the two brotherly countries. The leadership meeting will also reflect on issues concerning regional peace and security.

During his stay in Istanbul, the Prime Minister will also address a Business Conference being hosted by Pakistan to spotlight Pakistan’s trade and investment potential in priority areas, including SEZs, Energy, IT and privatization sectors.  The conference will bring together leading Turkish businesses and investors, alongside senior official dignitaries and other distinguished participants.

The Prime Minister’s visits to Iran and Türkiye reflect Pakistan’s deep-rooted historical, cultural, and fraternal ties with the two brotherly countries. 

Moving to the Iran-US standoff and the situation in the Gulf Region – Pakistan stepped up its diplomatic engagement with key regional and international stakeholders to facilitate earnest follow-up and implementation of the Islamabad MoU by Iran and the United States, in line with the Pakistan–Qatar Joint Statement issued at Burgenstock on 21 June 2026.
In this regard, Pakistan and Qatar engaged with the relevant parties in Doha yesterday and held separate meetings with the US and Iranian negotiators in Doha today, I would highlight three specific points: 
•    One – there was positive progress made on issues related to the aspects of the Islamabad MOU, building on the Lake Lucerne Summit. 
•    Two – Parties have agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, 
•    Three – next meeting to be set at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader.
Pakistan will continue to play a facilitative and mediatory role in the negotiation process.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a series of telephone conversations this week with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, China, Bahrain and Iran, besides separately speaking with British Foreign Secretary and the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On 30 June, a seminar was held at Jinnah Convention, titled ‘Indus Waters Treaty: An Instrument of Peace and Regional Stability': which was attended by the political leadership, legal experts, international scholars, members of diplomatic corps, media and civil society. 

The participants, in general called to uphold the treaty, rejected the weaponization of water and urged disputes to be resolved through established legal and diplomatic mechanisms rather than unilateral action. They warned that any attempt to deprive the country of its share of water would have profound consequences for regional peace and security.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the six-decade-old IWT could not be suspended or terminated unilaterally. He called India's decision to place the treaty in abeyance "illegal, unilateral and without any basis" adding that Pakistan unequivocally rejected the announcement. 

Pakistan rejects India’s attempt to invoke baseless allegations of terrorism as a pretext for placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and obstructing the lawful flow of Pakistan’s share of the Indus waters. 

The real issue is not terrorism. The real issue is the growing disposition within the Indian leadership to treat a shared international river system as a strategic asset that can be controlled, withheld or diverted at will. This mindset of unilateral appropriation is fundamentally incompatible with the letter and spirit of not just the Indus Waters Treaty but the relevant International Law. 

Water is not a tool of coercion or political pressure. Any attempt to deny Pakistan its legitimate share of the Indus waters constitutes a clear violation of India’s international legal obligations and undermines the credibility of its commitment to treaty-based relations.

Furthermore, on 26 June, the DPM/FM announced the safe arrival of 22 Iranian crew members in Karachi and reaffirmed that Pakistan is facilitating their early repatriation, bringing the total number of Iranian nationals repatriated through Pakistan to over 70. 

On 29 June UN Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, called on DPM/FM Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. DPM/FM commended the critical work being carried out by the Special Envoy to address the challenge posed by Islamophobia, and expressed Pakistan’s full support for his mandate. He expressed the hope that the early finalization of the UN Action Plan to Combat Islamophobia would provide the necessary framework for combating Islamophobia worldwide.

Following recent terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Karachi, security forces launched intelligence-based operations under Operation Ghazb Lil Haq. On 28 June 2026, four terrorists, including a high-value Khwarji commander Khan Farosh aka Zabal along with 3 terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy Jamaat ul Ahrar were killed in Bajaur. 

Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to eliminating terrorism while ensuring national security. Pakistan has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region. At the same time, it will not compromise on the safety and security of its citizens, which remain its highest priority.

Moreover, on 29 June, Afghan Chargé d'affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a strong demarche was issued regarding the Karachi terrorist attack. A similar demarche was conveyed by Pakistan's Ambassador Mr Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, to the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

These demarches were issued in light of the fact that Afghan nationals, including one apprehended alive, participated in this attack, proving yet again that Afghan soil and Afghan nationals continue to be used to orchestrate terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. 

Moreover, the interior ministry has issued a directive to immediately arrest any Afghan national found residing in Pakistan without a valid visa from July 10.

Moving forward, Pakistan on 30 June formally took its seat as a permanent member of the International Olive Council (IOC) for the first time during the 123rd session of the council held in Lisbon, Portugal, marking a significant milestone in the country's growing olive sector. 

Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain led a Pakistani delegation to the meeting. Following Pakistan's accession to the International Olive Council in May 2026, the country was invited to participate in the council's 123rd session alongside representatives of 27 other olive oil-producing member states.

With these remarks, I conclude my opening statement and would be pleased to take your questions.

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(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News):    Thank you so much, Excellency. I have questions about India and Pakistan. Sir, my first question is that yesterday, in percents of 2008 consular excess agreement, the list of the prisoners were exchanged, but I really found a discrepancy in a way that India handed over a list of 439 Pakistani prisoners in their jails, but Pakistan maintained that in fact they are 753 Pakistanis detained in Indian jail, so what about these around 100 and so Pakistani languishing in their jail, which are unaccounted. Even my second question about the India-Pakistan relation is that over 100 eminent personality from India and Pakistan, 61 from India and 56 from Pakistan, and even from Pakistan, Honorable former Foreign Minister Kursheed Mahmood Kasuri Saab or Excellency Shamshad Ahmed Khan Sabha or Ashraf Jahangir Saab, and from there, three for former Chief Minister of IIOK, they have written letters to both the Prime Minister for dialogue normalcy, so how Pakistan responds, or India should respond to the voice of these people. And my third question, brief question, is whether a seminar on Indus Water Treaty can ensure release of Pakistan's due water share, and Pakistan can be preempted from being converted to a barren land without water?

Spokesperson:    On your questions about the list of prisoners – yes, I did see your tweet titled Discrepancy. We handed over a list of 753 Pakistani prisoners to India yesterday. The list is meticulously compiled and maintained by the Ministry, and our Mission in New Delhi. It documents all reported cases of Pakistani nationals detained in India, including those identified through newspaper reports, notification from families, and information received from official channels. We pursue each individual case through its various stages, including the provision of counselor access, confirmation of nationality and eventual release and repatriation to Pakistan. While I cannot speak about the methodology used by the Indian side about how they prepare the list of Pakistani prisoners, we consider our list to be authoritative and an authentic record of Pakistani nationals detained in India. The Government of Pakistan will continue to take all steps possible to secure the early release and repatriation of Pakistani nationals detained in Indian prison, and in this regard, our dialogue through usual diplomatic channels with India will continue. 

On your second question about the letter of eminent personality. These are private individuals, they are fully competent to write anything. The Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs neither endorse nor reject it – we do not have any particular comment to offer on it. 

The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) seminar, as I said, was an important forum to take into account the legal foundation of the treaty, the salience of the treaty under international law, particularly under international water law, and management of transboundary rivers. It also underscored the wider dimensions of the IWT i.e. its hydrological dimension, its dimension as an issue of human rights and humanitarian issue, you know – the river waters emerge or have a major catchment area in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, so it has that dimension. Thirdly, it highlighted its dimensions in terms of peace and security – the wider implication of the blockade of this treaty and its implications for the regional peace and security. This (seminar) added to the repository of knowledge and the discourse available on this subject. In that sense, the seminar was immensely enriching. 

As far as your comment about converting Pakistan into a barren land, no country can do that. No, not India, not any other country has power to do that. I do not think we should talk in the sense of barrenning Pakistan. Mashallah (by the grace of Almighty), we are strong enough to prevent any catastrophe of this nature to happen.

(Muhammad Saleh Zafir, The News): Indian spokesperson has liked yesterday that Pakistan, a place like named Farooqabad, A Gurudwara of six has been demolished by some unknown persons. I wish to have your comment and confirmation about this information of Indian spokesperson, and incidentally, this has come from a country where the mosques have been demolished or being converted into the temples forcibly.

Spokesperson:    Yes, I have seen that statement by the Indian External Affairs Ministry. We have ascertained details. This Gurudwara, was not practiced for worship anymore. There were no Sikh community, I understand, in the vicinity, that would use Gurudwara for its religious purposes. Accordingly, this facility, this building was under private tenancy. The structure was old, in a dilapidated condition, and pose the potential risk to human life and surrounding private properties in the vicinity of that building. They feared that the building might collapse in the upcoming rainy season. As you know, there was an incident in Lahore as well, so there is a fear in the community. As a preventive measures, the tenants initiated the work on the two sections of the seven-part Gurudwara, and on 24th June. I must underscore that this action was undertaken without the permission of the Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB), and in violation of the EPTB bylaws. Accordingly, the immediate remedial action has started to address the situation. The board halted the tenants' unauthorized work on the same day i.e. on June 24. Some (part of the) building was affected, but the (damage to) larger building was prevented. The tenancy and the lease was canceled, and the tenants were directed to vacate the building. We would ensure that you know the building stays, and perhaps some renovation work could also possible.

Regarding the other part of your question, it is deeply ironic that a country whose own record of systematic discrimination and prosecution of religious minorities, Muslim, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, and other has been widely documented by international human rights organization, independent experts and global media, has chosen to lecture us on an issue, which was of a very administrative nature. There was no mob which was destroying Gurudwara. It was not licensed by the government, unlike in India, where this, these kinds of activities take place under state patronage. This was an act of few individuals, and the law is now taking remedial measures. Instead of pointing fingers elsewhere, India would do well to confront the grim realities within its own border, under state patronage, the continued targeting of Muslims and other religious communities. This targeting licensed, licensed by a BJP-led Indian government through communal violence, attacks on places of worships, discriminatory legislations extrajudicial demolitions, inflammatory hate speech, and misuse of state institutions. These kinds of actions reflect deeply troubling trends within India. India should address those incidents – instead of raising an issue of administrative nature about Pakistan in an attempt to mask its own illegal action. We would urge India to take urgent, credible, and verified measures to protect fundamental rights and freedoms of minorities and marginalized groups, particularly Muslim, Christians, Dalit, Sikhs, Adivasis, and others.

(Syeda Qurat ul Ain, Independent Urdu):    Almost two months ago, the ministry issued a statement regarding Asif merchant, and in response to a question, you said that Pakistani government had reached out to its US counterpart about what's happening in the case. Further, can you please give an update on that? And B, is there any update on the Somalian incident?

Spokesperson:    As regards, case of Asif Merchant, I am afraid I don't have an update. I can check from relevant section and get back to you. 

On Somalia, I am afraid we have not been able to secure the release of the held Pakistanis. As you know, these are not just Pakistanis, but several other crew members from different countries, are also held hostages. Previously, we updated you regarding the efforts taken by our mission in Djibouti, accredited to Somalia, our parlays with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, with the Puntland Authorities, which is a semi-autonomous region, with the ship owner who has been directly in touch. Then, there was an Inter-Ministerial meeting held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which all stakeholders were invited. Last week the Additional Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, also chaired a meeting inviting ambassadors of all the affected countries. There Ambassadors from six or seven countries working to formulate a coordinated strategy on this very grave humanitarian situation. Apart from the affected countries, our Missions in these respective countries are also active. Moreover, not just Missions in these countries, but also elsewhere, in Dubai for example, which is where this company, whose ship is held captive was registered. London, for example, which is the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization, Djibouti, and others. There is a ‘Djibouti Code of Conduct on Piracy’, so there is a Djibouti code of conduct Secretariat – that is also involved. So, we remain in contact with all these organization and also UK-based maritime security companies. Through sustained engagement with stakeholders, we are, putting pressure on to the owners of MT Honor to expedite negotiation and secure the early release.

The Government of Pakistan is making every effort to ensure that Pakistan seafarer remains safe and in good health with uninterrupted access to essential food, water, and medicine. Let me also add that there is an EU Naval Force in the region. Whilst operational, doing any operational activity with respect to release of this prisoner is very complicated, and primary concern is, of course, the safety or security. They (EU Naval Force) have their surveillance, and we have been given to understand that the individuals are alive, and are being provided food and water. The living conditions is harsh, so there's no doubt about that, but basic food is being provided. Again it is a deeply emotional and painful moment for the families. Whilst we empathize with them, we are taking all action, to their release. We are also exerting pressure to ensure that the individuals remain safe. This problem is ongoing. Incidents of piracy such as this takes a while to be resolved. Previous such incidents have lasted many months. We hope it would not last that long. I can assure you that for the Government of Pakistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and our Missions abroad, are taking all possible measures. I believe that Ministry of Maritime Authorities and authorities in Karachi are also in touch with their fas to offer all possible support that they can.

(Khalid Mehmood, Express News):    Are there expected meetings on bilateral issues during the visit of the Prime Minister’s visit to Iran after his participation in the funeral of His Eminence Ayatollah Khamenei? Secondly, India has already announced a practical budget for the diversion of rivers and canals instead, we are conducting a seminar on the issue. So, what is the comparison regarding budget and the seminar?

(Abid Hussain, Al Jazeera):    Sir, Pakistan recently organized IWT summit, and as we understand, it's a matter of life and death for the 240 million people in the country. Mehr Shah Sab, the chairman for Indus water in Pakistan, he mentioned he wrote to his Indian counterpart, but we received did not respond. Considering the severity of the issue, is Pakistan planning to reach out to India at other government level than any other level once again? Like, are we taking further steps? Are we planning to do that just to because of the seriousness of the matter?

(Mateen Haider, WE News):    As Mr. Abid mentioned, is Pakistan planning, and you were sitting in the seminar, Excellency, Chinese professor and scholar Victor also made a proposal that China, Pakistan, and India right can resolve this issue. How you see this idea given by a top Chinese professor that three countries, China, Pakistan, and India, they could sit together and resolve this issue. Your thoughts?

(Sonia Malik, Koh-i-Noor News): Sir, you also mentioned the seminar, and as we can see, through this seminar, Pakistan's stance is being projected internationally. However, we have observed that under the Indus Waters Treaty, the World Bank was playing the role of a mediator, which included a provision for an annual meeting to be held between Pakistan and India. Looking at 2022, that was when the last meeting took place. Pakistan is in favor of table talks; yet, we have seen that so many years have passed, and there have been no such discussions since. Don't you think this is a fundamental issue that should be resolved specifically through table talks?

 (Abbas Jaffar, Daily District News): Sir, the Chief Minister of Balochistan has also issued a statement regarding the Indus waters. The fact that the Chief Minister of Balochistan has spoken out on this issue indicates that we are facing a very alarming situation. This is not just about turning Pakistan into a barren land; it is also creating instability between the provinces, as disputes over water are already ongoing and remain unresolved. If this water supply is ever cut off, it will lead the country toward a civil war. I would appreciate your comments on this.

(Asghar Ali Mubarak, The Daily Mail International):    Sir, the experts at the seminar, including those from the World Bank and others, have raised a point that China should be a key part of this and should be a partner in the Indus Waters Treaty. Since most of the rivers originate from there, what is Pakistan doing in this regard?

Spokesperson:    The first broader question raised is about the actions that Pakistan can take. We reserve the right to take all actions. This is a matter of high priority. India’s budgetary allocations for specific projects – well there was an invitation of tender also. So, these are the measures that India is taking. We have an eye on the ground as well. We will see what is the progress on the ground with respect to these projects. As I said, if there is some action on the ground, we will see what actions could be taken. The deeper issue of ‘peace & security – dimensions’ of IWT is not lost on the international community. Pakistan has raised it. We have raised it at the level of our Cabinet and our top leadership. You very carefully listened the speech of the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister yesterday. Former Foreign Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party, Bilal Bhutto Zardari Sahib also spoke eloquently on this issue. So, this is the national discourse here. This is not lost on India – whether it allocates budget or it does not allocate budget, that is, besides the point. 

As regards China, first of all, the river water systems that emerge in the Himalayan region, are the bounties of the nature. This is one of the blessings of Allah Almighty. Himalayan river water systems feed so many countries –from Indus to Mekong and many Chinese rivers also emerge from there. This Himalayan Watershed, is a shared heritage of mankind. With respect to broader water issues of this region, China's engagement will always be positive – because it is a stakeholder, not just with respect to the rivers that flow into South Asia, into India and Pakistan, but also with respect to mighty river systems that flows from Himalayas ice caps into China not just China but also Far East to Southeast Asian countries as well – Mekong, for example originating on top of Eastern Himalayas. This is shared heritage at the Himalayan ice caps, which is the source of these rivers, and feed billions of people. This is a shared heritage. It faces numerous challenges – climate change the most profound. Acts of omission and commission by India are also challenging. So, with respect to that, a wider regional engagement is essential on these water resources shared by all countries, who benefit from the rivers originating from Himalaya region, is indeed very important. 

As regards IWT, it has very specific provisions, very specific legal foundation. World Bank, Pakistan, and India have a very clear demarcated roles, and we want the sanctity of the treaty to be upheld, and it be implemented in full earnest. 

On question about the statement the CM of Balochistan. I'm not particularly aware of which statement are you referring. Any disruption of Indus waters will affect every Pakistani, irrespective of any provincial background. In that sense, this challenge unites us, it does not divide us. 

On World Bank table talk, you mentioned that the last meeting was held in 2022. Yes, since then the meetings have not been held. If India links this abeyance, particularly with the Pahalgam incident (April 2025), India had started violating this treaty much before that. So, this goes on to show that the pretext of terrorism by India is completely unjustified. Behind this is a mindset of misappropriation of other people's resources. It is a mindset of aggression and misappropriation, this mindset needs to be rejected. 

Finally, on dialogue; Indus Water Commissioners of both countries have channels of communication, and their channel of communications, and the mode of it is provided in the treaty. There are specific trigger points whereby, these channels are activated. I am sure that whenever that trigger point is reached, we will communicate through Indus Water Commissioner to the Indian Indus Water Commissioner. What response he receives is a matter that we will look and see. Pakistan is implementing its side of the IWT. We are following all the provisions of the treaty with respect to our responsibility that lies on our shoulder, and that includes keeping the channels of communication open – passing on respective messages whenever the treaty mandates that such a message to be passed, of course. This discussion happens within the ambit of the treaty.

(Azaz Syed, GEO News):    We talk about the prisoners or water, every road leads to the basic fact that both the nations should talk. Recently, a track two engagement held in Colombo, which was hosted by International Institute of Strategic Studies, UK. Could you collect some information? What information Pakistan has, because some former senior officials working in different departments, including the Foreign Office, they attended that session, and secondly, in the same line, US President Donald Trump, a few months back, had, you know, said that he would send Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to some coffee shop or some restaurant, so Americans, you know, followed up, and could they identify the restaurant where both the prime ministers would go?

Spokesperson:    We are aware of reports regarding the meeting held in Bangkok and Colombo. As you know, these are not the Track-1 one meeting, so I cannot offer any comment on that. Regardless of how different commentators name them, this is not the first time that such meetings were hosted by private think tanks. As per our position with engagement, with India, we have already stated it on numerous times and it has not changed. 

Pakistan would welcome US engagement on issues of peace and security in South Asia. The important point is that Pakistan has very strong legal and political standing on every issue with respect to India. On every issue between Pakistan and India, our position is in compliance of the tenants of international law and the provisions of the UN Charter. So, we are confident. We are confident that if any country wishes to engage both India and Pakistan, with a view to helping with the peace and security issues, Pakistan can join. We do not have any skeleton to hide. Unlike India, which shies away from this international engagement, because it knows, its positions on different issues, particularly issues like Jammu and Kashmir, transboundary river water, counter terrorism cannot stand the scrutiny of international law and compliance of the UN Charter. That is the reason why India shies away from international mediation, or engagement. We do not have such compulsions. Our position is politically tenable and legally strong. So, we would welcome any positive engagement of the international community, including the United States.

(Shahid Nadeem, Al Jazeera TV):    As you know, Pakistani security forces carried out strikes on the pretext of terrorist outfits inside Afghanistan. On the other hand, Afghan government claims civilian casualties. Your take on this, sir?

(Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya News):    Not only Afghan government, but United Nations claim that the civilian casualties have been occurred, and since the statement we have seen from Pakistan side, it says that Pakistan conduct precise airstrikes on intelligence base. So, your take on it, that civilian casualties occurred, and United Nations claim that.

Spokesperson:    In the aftermath of this recent terrorist attacks, particularly in the attack in Karachi, we undertook targeted strikes. These actions were targeted, proportional, and based on well-planned and well-crafted intelligence. These were calibrated strikes in the border region, targeting safe havens of Jamatul Ahrar and Fitnah Al Khwarij, in which 29 terrorists Khwarjis were killed. Similarly, on 28th June, the action was conducted near Pakistan-Afghan border in Bajaur district of KPK, and Khwarji commander with three of his affiliates were killed. The actions were based on credible intelligence. As I have said, precise targeting was conducted. In fact, large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at these bunkers were also destroyed. Due diligence was taken with respect to targeting. We target only terrorists. Our understanding is that the 29 individuals killed were all belonging to different terrorist outfits. We will strive for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but we will not compromise on the safety and security of our, of our citizens, which remain our top priority. Our relentless counter-terrorism campaign will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from outside Pakistan.

(Muhammad Anas Ahsan Mallick, Asia One News):    Three questions, two on India, and then one on Afghanistan. With regards to Afghanistan, you've seen that recently there was use of rudimentary drones, as per the ISPR statement. Has the matter been taken up diplomatically with regards to the use of these drone incursions on Pakistani territory, or will there be a kinetic response in that? Number one, number two, when it comes to India, since you mentioned that you have, you are aware of these meetings in Colombo and Bangkok, and they've been taking place in private capacity, as per reports that latest meeting in Colombo, the DG South Asian and SAARC of the Pakistani Foreign Ministry was there. The serving director general of the Pakistani foreign ministry. Was he there in his personal capacity or was he representing the Pakistani foreign ministry? Number three, with regards to the Indus Waters Treaty, the seminar that we referred to, the World Bank was either not invited or they decided to give it a miss. Is World Bank shying away from its responsibility when it broke at the deal 65 years ago. Why was it not there? Has the matter been taken out with them or not?

Spokesperson:    First of all, on these drone attacks, the ISPR has issued a detailed press release. I have nothing further to add. You know these were the rudimentary drones across from the border in Afghanistan. We believe that this was part of the patronage and support of terrorist outfits from inside Afghan controlled territory. These were picked by our air defense network. Demonstrating high operational readiness, all of them were neutralized. If provocations such as this, and as done in Karachi terrorist attack, continue, we cannot rule out any befitting response that we are entitled to take under the right to self-defense given to us by Article 51 of the UN Charter. 

About these Colombo meeting, I am not aware of the participation. But I can tell you that the DG South Asia was in Colombo with respect to his mandatory training course which is a mandatory requirement for officers of the different occupational groups, like Foreign Service, Pakistan Administrative Service, Police Service, and so on. So, he was in Colombo on the Foreign Study Tour of that course.

About the World Bank – well World Bank remains our important partner. I am not aware of the list of invitees to the IWT seminar, organized by the Institute of Regional Studies. We are not anyway, critical of the World Bank's role in IWT. Its role is positive. But I am not aware of their participation in the seminar. Maybe they participated virtually because there was virtual link available too.

(Tahir Khan, NNI):    My question is that we have certain projects with Pakistan and Afghanistan, and other countries also have a role and are involved in these projects. The most recent project was last year when the Deputy Prime Minister visited Afghanistan, and he, along with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, signed a feasibility report for the Trans-Afghan Railway line, which is very important. Before this project, we also had TAPI and CASA-1000. So, my question is that our current situation with Afghanistan has stalled; there are no bilateral meetings, and there is no travel between the two countries. What is the future of these projects, given that routes have been closed for the last nine months, and trade transit visas have been stopped for the last four months? Do these projects have a future, or should we simply say that they have been rolled back?

Spokesperson:    I am not aware of what has been done since the border closure in October 2025 with respect to these projects. I can check the details, and get back to you. Our larger position remains the same – Afghan territory should not be used for fomenting, engineering, sponsoring. and planning terrorist attacks in Pakistan. If this does not happen, unfortunately trade and borders will remain closed. The trade is not possible, and if trade is not possible, economic projects are not possible. As regards, Trans-Afghan Railway or CASA, that you mentioned, I can get specific details for you.

(Anwer Abbas, 24 News):    Sir, overall, we have seen that Pakistan has always raised its voice and offered support regarding religious freedoms. Especially in occupied Kashmir, whenever there has been an issue concerning 10th of Muharram or Ashura sprocessions, Pakistan has strongly raised its voice. Will Pakistan clarify its stance this time regarding the ban imposed by the UAE and Bahrain on Majalis and processions, both in Imambargahs and private homes? And sir, secondly, Ishaq Dar and the Chief of Defence Forces both announced that we would consider any kind of water-related aggression as a declaration of war. So sir, if we have understood this as a declaration of war, when will the actual war begin?

Spokesperson:    About Bahrain, UAE, I am not aware of any curbs on religious practices. Certainly, there are brothers and sisters from Ahle Tashi/Fiqqa e Jafriya in those countries from several countries (other than Pakistan) I have not seen any such complaint from them too. So, I will very humbly request you to please ask your questions with specific references. Regarding water related aggression and “when will the war began”, are you keen of that? 

(Mateen Haider, WE News):    Excellency, from Switzerland to Qatar, there have been two rounds of talks. So, in Qatar, it was mentioned that there have been no face-to-face talks between Americans and Iranians since Pakistan and Qatar have been delivering and exchanging messages between Iranian and Qataris, and as you said, all three parties agreed to remain in touch. Do you hope that next technical level round of talks could be hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad?

(Aijaz Ahmed, GNN News):    There is a controversy regarding Bagher Ghalibaf’s interview, there has been exchange of stricter statements from both sides, has Pakistan requested them to stop issuing stricter statements in order to achieve peace? 

Spokesperson:    The talks in Doha were held indirect (separate meetings), as you must have seen the statement released by Pakistan and Qatar. We are not discouraged by strong statements from both parties. When there is a conflict and there is a mediation process, mediators must maintain a spirit of positivity, optimism and due confidentiality. The relevant, principal parties to the conflict are usually prone to give harsh statements because they are in the discussion, and have a certain position. So, let us not be discouraged by the harsh statements. We, of course, are mediators advocating for restraint, and continuation of dialogue. We should rejoice that the fact that the dialogue is continuing. As we say that the next meeting will be planned after the funeral of the late Supreme Leader, it means that the parties are at the dialogue table. The dialogue has not broken down. It is a continuing process. The hiatus, or the gap in the dialogue is a routine. Such dialogues are convened, and then parties go back home – so the process continues. This is encouraging. 

I cannot rule out the possibility of future meetings in Islamabad. We would, of course, welcome such meeting. I have no information about anything on Islamabad being the venue.

(Naveed Siddiqui, Business Recorder):    Sir, we have seen a statement from the Foreign Office rejecting US allegations regarding Pakistan's missiles capabilities.

Spokesperson:    That was a press statement from last year. Express Tribune has taken off that story from their website. I have requested them to please post some kind of a notice/clarification in their tomorrow's paper that this was a misunderstanding.

(Raziq Mehmood Bhatti, Kashmir Express): The operation in Rajouri, IIOJK, began with skirmishes involving militants and has now been ongoing for over three weeks, reaching into the homes of ordinary civilians. Does India believe that an armed struggle for Kashmir has reignited? Secondly, what are the motives behind implicating Yasin Malik in a 36-year-old case, specifically the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case? Thirdly, regarding the current situation in Azad Kashmir, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that they now have the opportunity to handle the affairs of all of Kashmir. Given this, does Pakistan’s 80-year history of diplomacy and sacrifices mean that the world is now asking Pakistan when this standoff will end and how this matter will be addressed?

Spokesperson:    The struggle for the right to self-determination in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir is continuing, however, strong draconian measures that India takes – with respect to empowering their close to 1 million military, paramilitary and other law enforcement agencies, police forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. India has not been able to suppress the struggle to the right to self-determination in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. So, the struggle will continue. Pakistan will provide all its moral, political, diplomatic support to ensure that the Kashmiris attain their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions through free and impartial plebiscite. 

About the conviction of Yasin Malik Sahab: we have stated our position on a number of occasions. We consider this whole trial to be a shame trial. It is devoid of any basic justice, fair play. No matter how many charges are added to the inventory of this sham trial, the fact remains that Yasin Malik Saab is in illegal detention, is under illegal imprisonment of Indian forces. We call upon India to uphold the due legal process and justice system and ensure that Yasin Malik Saab is immediately released and be cleared of all the false charges that he has been accused or convicted of. 

As regards events in Azad Kashmir: the Government of Pakistan, has stated its position very clearly. The Government of Azad Kashmir has also stated its position clearly. The matter at heart is an issue of constitution of AJK and democratic enfranchisement of the people of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. This is a constitutional matter. If this matter is to be resolved, the route passes through the Azad Jammu & Kashmir Assembly, which can adopt the relevant legislative order to either amend the constitution or to provide whatever relief it wishes to give to the demands made by certain segments in Azad Kashmir. This should not be confused with the movement of right to self-determination in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. So, when India talks of “Pura (full) Kashmir”, it should first address the rights that it has suppressed and denied for the last eight decades in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir rights. The rights that were promised by the Indian founding fathers. This is the fundamental question that India needs to answer. We have already issued a detailed statement about the India's comments on Azad Jammu & Kashmir and I would respectfully refer you to our previous statement.

(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News):    I'll just quote from a press release issued today, not of yesterday, last year, that is about the fresh round in Doha talks where your office has written that positive progress made on issues related to Islamabad MOU, and Bürgenstock in Switzerland, so may we know that which psarticular areas, whether opening of Hormuz or nuclear issue or lifting of sanctions or release of funds, that this progress was made?

Spokesperson:    I think this is a matter of detail. If the principal interlocutors at Doha had desired that particular specific points or any detail with respect to that, be mentioned in this statement, this would have been stated. The fact that it is not there is self-explanatory. The basic message is that yes, the progress has been made. Your headline should go as the “progress made overall” and not as the “progress not made on certain issues”.

(Sonia Malik, Koh-i-noor News):    Sir, if we look at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 2025-2026 audit report, it has been released. It reveals financial irregularities amounting to 9 billion and 610 million. Don't you think that alongside settling international affairs, we should also ensure accountability within the Ministry to make it transparent?

Spokesperson:    Thank you for raising it. It's an important question, and I wish to answer it. First of all, the process is already transparent. The fact that these audit objections have been noted, and that you are asking this question points towards a certain transparency of this whole exercise. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to implementing and checking all audit observations. These, in most of these cases are administrative issues and not improper expenditures. Many cases are on account of lack of proper filling or incomplete documentation. So, in most of these cases, these are the procedural issues, which are rectified. Secondly, we have an effective audit system. There is a Directorate General of Audit within the Ministry. Then we have an External Audit done by the Office of the Auditor General, and then there is the Public Accounts Committee. So, these audit observations that you have referred to will follow all these processes. I can assure that every penny of the Public Exchequer will be accounted for.

(Tayyab Gondal, Star Asia News):  Sir, my question is that last time when the Indus Waters Treaty was suspended by India and a complete ban was imposed on water, then during the subsequent monsoon season, when they had an excess of water, they released it into Pakistan suddenly without prior notification. As a result, many areas in Pakistan's Punjab province were submerged. This led to significant losses for many farmers and caused immense suffering for the public. The rescue operation continued for several months, and it was with great difficulty that the government and rescue teams were able to evacuate the people. So, what is Pakistan's plan regarding this, as the monsoon season has arrived once again? India could potentially commit such aggression against Pakistan again.

Spokesperson:    The irregular flow of river waters is, of course, a problem. We are dealing with a mindset of misappropriation and wrong conduct (by India). This mindset – releasing water in the rainy season, blocking water when the water is required, trying to starve, starve millions of people for their water needs. This Indian mindset is well noticed by the international community. As regards the remedial action, I have already elaborated in detail.

(Muhammad Saleh Zafir, The News):    Sir, could you report us about repatriation of any money from Qatar to Iran, their frozen money, and what is Pakistan's position regarding the demand of Iran, that no progress, no tangible progress is possible as long this money is not shifted to Iran.

Spokesperson:    Sir, I have no comment to offer. This is a topic of discussion. We would not wish to comment on any specific that is a subject of discussion between the parties.

(Mateen Haider, WE News):    There have been reports in the media that Pakistan is strongly considering to import oil and gas from Iran. So, since Foreign Ministry have been in the loop, and if restrictions are lifted from Iran, is there is any restriction on Pakistan? Pakistan needs to consult any other country, maybe Saudi Arabia, maybe United States, for this import of oil and gas from Iran. Is there is any such possibility in the future that may ease our import oil and gas bills?

(Muhammad Anas Ahsan Mallick, Asia One News):    The Bergenstock talks were held on the 21st. Then we saw the visit of the Iranian President on the 23rd. When we met last week on the 24th by that time the sanctions waiver was not issued by the US. Now that the sanctions waiver on Iranian oil and petrochemical exports have been issued, is Pakistan considering to import oil from Iran, finishing the IP gas pipeline, and in the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister, will this matter be taken up as a separate agenda pointer? Because that's what the word that you used last time, that you were not aware if that was taken out as a separate agenda point, will it be taken up as a separate agenda point in the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister?

Spokesperson:    First of all, on this oil and gas import, I will refer you to the Ministry of Energy or Ministry of Petroleum. I am not aware of the details. If there is a decision, or if there is a decision already taken about it, we can check the details and get back to you. But this is an issue of the core competence of other ministries, and I'll very respectfully refer you to those. 

As regards this issue to be discussed in the President and Prime Minister's upcoming visit. Whilst I cannot rule out the possibility, I am not exactly aware of what would be or how long will the discussion last. You should understand that the visit is in the context of the participation in the funeral of the Supreme Leader. Our PM is going there for condolences. As in our interpersonal behavior, when we go for the condolences, we usually do not raise other issues. These interstate relations, follow the same pattern. But if time permits, it might be raised. I am not aware of it.

(Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya News):    Islamabad, and Kabul had agreed in 2025 to elevate their charge d’ affairs to ambassadors’ level, but the official communications, latest official communication from both sides is issuing their relevant representatives again to charge d’ affairs, and I have been going through the press releases in December 2025 Foreign Office also stated that charge d’ affairs of Afghan Embassy have been summoned. So, could you please clarify that both representatives are in Pakistan and Afghanistan are at ambassadorial level, or?

(Azaz Syed, GEO News):    Zeeshan has asked a very good question. Continuing from that, I think you will be able to answer this. Tell me, have the credentials of Mr. Nizamani, the Pakistani ambassador whom we referred to as 'Ambassador' in our press release, been presented in Afghanistan? And are we calling him an ambassador? Similarly, what happened to the credentials of the Afghan Chargé d' Affaires here? Because that file had moved initially, but there has been no update on it since.

Spokesperson:    There is no change with respect to the diplomatic status of either our Envoys or to the two Embassies in Kabul and Islamabad. The status remains the same.