Assalam-o-Alaikum,

Ladies and gentleman, Welcome you to the weekly briefing. 

Greetings in advance for Eid-ul-Azha next week. 

As you know, we are marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. On this occasion, our two nations celebrate an enduring friendship and strategic partnership built on mutual respect, trust, and shared aspirations. This milestone stands as a testament to how both countries have consistently supported each other through challenges, strengthening a bond that remains a unique example of unwavering solidarity and fraternity in inter-state relations

Curtain Raiser China 

At the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to China from 23 to 26 May 2026.

The visit assumes special significance as Pakistan and China commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. It will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the abiding strength of the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and advance the shared vision of building an even closer Pakistan-China Community with a Shared Future.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold meetings with the Chinese leadership, including H.E. President Xi Jinping and H.E. Premier Li Qiang. 

The two sides will review bilateral cooperation in political, economic, and strategic domains, with particular focus on the high-quality development of CPEC, trade, investment, industrial cooperation, agriculture modernization, information technology, science and technology and people-to-people exchanges.

The Prime Minister will begin his visit from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, where he will chair Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference on IT & Telecom, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Agriculture.

In Beijing, the Prime Minister will attend a reception hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.

The visit is expected to further deepen political trust, strengthen strategic coordination, expand practical cooperation and consolidate the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China.

Visit of Chinese Delegation led by Deputy Chairman of NPC to Pakistan

A Chinese delegation led by Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Mr. Cai Dafeng arrived in Islamabad on 20 May 2026 to participate in commemorative activities marking the 75th anniversary of Pakistan–China diplomatic relations. Yesterday, the visiting delegation called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. You have been covering the visit of the Chinese delegation as well as the ceremony yesterday to mark this important landmark in our bilateral relations.  

Pakistan’s efforts for peace, dialogue and a lasting solution to the ongoing standoff in the Middle East and the Gulf Region continued this week. 

Over the last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held two telephone conversations with the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

Both sides exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and the evolving regional and international situation, particularly developments in the Middle East and Pakistan-led peace and de-escalation efforts. The two sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path to lasting peace and stability. 

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has remained actively engaged with his counterparts in line with our efforts to promote peace and pursue diplomatic channels.

On May 18, the DPM/FM held telephone conversation with Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi on the evolving regional situation and matters of mutual interest.

On May 17, the DPM/FM spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on the evolving regional situation and ongoing multilateral engagements.

On May 16, he held telephone conversation with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov on bilateral ties and regional developments.

The Minister of Interior Mr. Mohsin Naqvi undertook two important visits to Iran this week – on 16 May and later on 20 May. He held important meetings with the Iranian leaderships which you have covered extensively. 

On 17th May, there were drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan condemned both the attacks and expressed full solidarity with the two brotherly countries. 

With respect to the UAE attacks, we underscored that any deliberate targeting of nuclear facilities constitutes a grave violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter, and the fundamental principles of nuclear safety and security enshrined in the Statute and resolutions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Nuclear installations must never be targeted under any circumstances. 

Moving on to other developments: 

The Government and people of Pakistan pay rich tribute to Shaheed Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq and Shaheed Abdul Ghani Lone, who were martyred by the Indian occupation forces on 21 May 1990 and 21 May 2002, respectively in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. On this somber day – the anniversaries of their martyrdoms, we also remember the sacrifices of the victims of the Hawal massacre, in which 70 innocent Kashmiris carrying the coffin of Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq were indiscriminately martyred by the Indian occupation forces. Pakistan salutes the courage of Shaheed Mirwaiz Molvi Mohammad Farooq, Shaheed Abdul Ghani Lone, and countless other Kashmiri martyrs who laid down their lives in pursuit of their inalienable right to self-determination. 

The lack of accountability for the gruesome killings of innocent Kashmiris and their leaders remains a festering injustice and a chilling example of the brazen impunity that defines the deplorable human rights situation in IIOJK. As we honor the invaluable sacrifices of innocent Kashmiris today, we also call upon the international community, international human rights organizations, and particularly the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms, to take cognizance of the dire humanitarian situation in IIOJK, hold India accountable for its reprehensible conduct, and ensure a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this week you also followed the news of Israeli assaults against the Global Sumud Flotilla, a peaceful civilian humanitarian initiative aimed at highlighting the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people. Pakistan issued statements on this matter in both its national capacity and as part of the Group of 8 countries. We are gratified that all detainees, including Mr. Saad Edhi, have safely arrived in Istanbul. 
 
This week, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister also received a delegation of senior Bangladeshi civil servants under the Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor initiative. 

The delegation is visiting Pakistan for a three-week program at the Civil Services Academy in Lahore, marking an important milestone in bilateral exchanges after 53 years.

16th Meeting of the Russia-Pakistan Consultative Group on Strategic Stability

On 18 May, the 16th meeting of the Russia–Pakistan Consultative Group on Strategic Stability was held in Moscow this Monday. I had the privilege of co-chairing the meeting the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov.

Both sides held detailed discussions on international security, global stability, and issues related to arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation. The meeting reflected convergence of views on key matters and reaffirmed commitment to continued engagement and coordination at relevant international forums. It was also agreed that the next session of the Consultative Group will be held in Islamabad next year.

Pakistan and Russia issued a Joint Press Statement on the occasion, which you covered. 

Thank you 

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1.    (Hussain Raza, PTV):    I have two questions. First is, I need your stance on TADA Court case against Yasin Malik and his associates in Jammu, and do you think the American President can play any role in release of Kashmiri prisoners, or the United Nations is the main platform for such matters? And my second question is, Jammu's Governor Manoj Sinha says India wants peace, but Pakistan promotes militancy and how can Pakistan effectively respond to these allegations at international level?

Spokesperson:    Pakistan is deeply concerned by the continued politically motivated and questionable cases against the leadership of Kashmiris, the Huriyat leaders, Yasin Malik, and others. This is suppression of legitimate Kashmiri political voices through, arbitrary arrests and detentions, sham trials, and harsh laws. India continues to misuse its judiciary to pursue political vendetta against the Kashmiri leadership. Pakistan calls for the release of all Kashmiri prisoners, human rights defenders and civil society activists detained in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) and in India. The international community, including the United States, must play a constructive role by urging India to stop human rights abuse and release all political prisoners. The Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains an internationally recognized issue on the agenda of the United Nations. Its just and lasting solution in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of Kashmiri people, is essential to stop systemic human rights violations, such as the one that you referred. Pakistan on its part will continue to raise the voices and uphold the human rights cause of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We will raise it at the United Nations, at the OIC, and other human rights bodies, which must uphold that Kashmiris should not be punished for seeking their right to self-determination.
 
On the second part of your question, regarding India's allegations: These allegations are not new. They follow a familiar pattern. Whenever Indian forces face scrutiny over its human rights violation, political repression, or denial of democratic freedom in Jammu and Kashmir; it seeks to divert global attention by blaming Pakistan. Pakistan rejects the baseless and irresponsible statements attributed to the so-called governor of the illegally occupied territory. Pakistan's contribution to counterterrorism and our sacrifices in this regard have been widely acknowledged by international community. India is deflecting attention from its own troubling record of fostering regional instability and support of terrorism. India's involvement in prompting terrorism in Pakistan is well known and well documented. The case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, for example, remains a stark example of state-sponsored terrorism. Equally concerning are the recurring incident of extraterritorial killings by Indian terrorist network. This pattern reflects the extremist ideology associated with Hindutva and its violence proponent. India cannot subsume the legitimate freedom struggle in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir under terrorism.

2.    (Muhammad Saleh Zaafir, The News):     Sir, India is engaged in construction of two hydroelectric projects in sheer violation of the Indus Water Treaty, one is on Kishanganga, while the other card is Ratle, and Pakistan has approached International Court of Arbitration. According to the treaty, the award given by the court is in favor of Pakistan, but unfortunately India has rejected this award, and rather rejected even the court's status. I wish to have your comments about the rejection of India on about it, and I want to have your views on the verdict, rather, award of the arbitration court.

Spokesperson:    Pakistan notes with satisfaction the supplemental award by the Court of Arbitration on 15th May, concerning the maximum pondage relating to the two projects that you mentioned – Ratle and Kishanganga. This award, we believe, reaffirms Pakistan's longstanding position that the treaty imposes substantive limits on India's water control capabilities on the western rivers. It clarifies the pondage for run of the river projects must be justified on the basis of genuine operational needs, hydroelectric and hydraulic conditions, power system requirements, and treaty mandated information. It should not be done through unrealistic assumptions or broad reference of compliance, as done by India. Building on the court's general award of its August 2025, I would like you to recall that in August 2025, the court is the supplemental award confirms that installed capacity and its anticipated load must be realistic, evidence-based, and linked to actual operation and projected power system needs. Any deviation in operating assumptions must be supported by specific data and technical evidence. The award also strengthens Pakistan's review rights by affirming India's obligations to promote sufficient information and explanation to establish treaty compliances. It further confirms that minimum flow obligation, where applicable, must be factored into pondage calculation for power generation. Pakistan also notes the court's earlier determination that its awards are final, binding, and authoritative for subsequent treaty processes. Pakistan will present these interpretations before Neutral Expert, and this will be in accordance with the provisions of the IWT. We remain firmly committed to the IWT, its dispute resolution mechanisms, and the procedural resolution of water-treated issues. Pakistan will continue to safeguard its rights under the treaty and ensure that India’s projects on the western river, remain fully consistent with the treaty obligation. 

With respect to the second part of your question on India's rejection: this holds no legal political value. Pakistan rejects this legally untenable attempt by India to dismiss the Court of Arbitration supplemental award. The court was constituted under the Indus Water Treaty and the treaty's dispute settlement mechanism. Its awards are final and binding. India's refusal to participate cannot invalidate lawful proceedings or render the award “null and void”, as quoted. The award reaffirms that the treaty imposes substantive limits on India's water control capacity on western rivers, which were awarded to Pakistan under the treaty, in lieu of the three eastern rivers awarded to India. Maximum pondage for the run-off river must be justified through realistic hydrological, and hydraulic conditions, actual power system needs, and sufficient supporting data; not through inflated assumptions or assurances of future restraints, as done by India. India claims to “hold the treaty in abeyance” is equally without legal basis. The IWT remains in force, and Pakistan will continue to protect its rights through the lawful, diplomatic and treaty-based mechanisms and processes.

3.    (Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya News):    There are some reports that Field Marshal may visit Iran. Can you confirm it or deny it? Second, you have talked about Mohsin Naqvi’s visits, and we have seen he was meeting with IRGC, other political leaders, and all the stakeholders in Iran. So, in your view, what remains the main obstacle while reaching a deal? And last one, there are reports that Iran has established a new authority regarding the strait of Hormuz, considering it their territorial water, so what's your stance on it?

4.    (Ghazala Noreen, Suno News):    Please also mention that the American Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that a Pakistani delegation is visiting Iran. Please specify who is included in that delegation.

5.    (Azaz Syed, Geo News):    Sir, we have seen a major, very small, but very important shift in Pakistan's efforts towards bringing peace between Iran and America. We were witnessing earlier that Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, he was leading all the efforts, although Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir were also playing a vital key role at the top level, but now we see that Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, is on the lead. What has prompted this particular change that at a very important juncture, Deputy Prime Minister has been apparently sidelined and Interior Minister has been brought forward?

Spokesperson:    Let me, first respond to Zeeshan’s question. I am not aware of any visit right now. I am sure this will be announced in due course, if it is to be announced. I can neither confirm nor deny it now. As regards the details of any agreement, our consistent position on this matter is that we do not talk of specifics. As a mediator and as a facilitator, it is the inherent ingredient of our mandate that we remain quiet on the individual positions and the process – also not ascribe any adjective to the process i.e. fast, slow, medium. So I' will stick to this consistent position.

About the statement by the Secretary of State, yes, we saw the statement. I think he was referring to the visits of the Interior Minister. I am not aware of any additional visits that you referred.

Mr. Azaz Syed, regarding your question: Let me underscore that the peace process between Iran and the United States is a matter of national importance for Pakistan, and reflects a collective national endeavor. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohammed Shahbaz Sharif, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister and the, Chief of Defense Forces, and the Chief of Army Staff, along with Minister of Interior, have remained at the forefront of our diplomatic engagements. In that sense, the visits of the Interior Minister should be seen in this vein. You used the word “sideline”. I would very categorically reject it. Pakistan's peace efforts, including the visit of the Interior Minister, should not be seen through the narrow prism of departmental divisions. Pakistan is united in this cause. I will urge restraint from any speculations in this regard.

6.    (Afzal Reza, IRNA): During the first visit by the Minister Naqvi to Tehran, he met with Mr. Pezeshkian, and President Pezeshkian appreciated Pakistan's security cooperation amongst the common borders, we don't have seen any, unnecessary incidents during the 40 days war, and even after the ceasefire. So, how do you evaluate the current security arrangement between Tehran and Islamabad in this era?

7.    (Azaz Syed, Geo News): Sir, during this conflict, was Pakistan ever approached by Americans requesting for the airspace and the land routes to attack Iran during this whole tenure? This is in context with the thanks by President of Iran to Pakistan, because it was giving an impression that as if Pakistan has said no, or Pakistan refused.

Spokesperson:    On the first question from our IRNA colleague: Pakistan’s leadership has maintained contacts with His Excellency the President of Iran. You have covered the extensive telephone conversations over the past month between our Prime Minister and the President of Iran. His appreciation of Pakistan's efforts to boost security at the border, I understand, has come up in previous exchanges, too. This is part of our regular border management with our neighboring countries. So, I am not aware of any additional measures in addition to a very robust mechanism that has been installed at Pakistan-Iran, and Pakistan border with other neighboring countries. 

Regarding the second question about the US, I do not think so. I am not aware of any specific request, I do not think any request was made. If you look at the geography of the region, I wonder what utility would be for any such request.

8.    (Abbas Jaffar, Daily District News): I have two questions. Pakistan and China are celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, but after the attacks on Chinese individuals in Karachi, China's developmental activities have almost come to a halt. Now, during the Prime Minister's visit, is there a possibility that the activities of China, where work has stopped, can be restarted on those projects? 

And my second question is that a fan was seized in India, which had "made in Pakistan" written on it, and it was recovered from a madrassa where the police are conducting an investigation. This has caused a stir on social media, but one concern is that this could be a conspiracy against these religious madrassas in India, and there might be a major campaign initiated against them. What are your comments on this?

Spokesperson:    I will firmly reject your assertion that Pakistan-China economic projects have stopped. This is not true. Pakistan has taken robust measures to prevent terrorist attacks inside the country. We remain very steadfast ensuring protection of all foreign nationals inside the country, including those from China.

As regard this news of Pankha/fan, I am not aware of it. I think this is as ridiculous as the pigeon story few years back. The pigeon and the fan seem two similar ridiculous assertions.

9.    (Sonia Malik, Koh-i-Noor News):    Sir, we have observed that in the recent press briefings regarding the UAE, questions have been raised about the deportation of Pakistanis from the UAE. However, when it comes to the government and the Foreign Office, they have denied this and are providing completely opposite reasons. I am asking this question today and making a request because family members of ours have been deported in such a manner that they have been working there for 10 years, and the company is sponsoring them, yet they are subjected to investigation and then deported not to Lahore, Karachi, or Islamabad airports, but to Quetta airport. Meanwhile, their accounts are also frozen, and when they land in Pakistan, they have nothing with them. If Pakistan is making such efforts abroad, it should also work on the issues faced by our citizens living abroad.

Spokesperson:    We have categorically rejected reports pointing out towards a trend (of deportation). There may be isolated incidents. In my briefing two weeks ago, I presented figures of individuals who were issued emergency travel documents pointing out to the emergent nature of deportation – total number was around 2000 or 3000. If you look at the size of the community, which is over 2 million, these figures are not very significant, particularly when viewed in the light of the royal pardon given to prisoners who were held there, and as a result of the pardon, their sentence got commuted and they were deported. If there is an isolated case which you referred as a family member, please bring it to our attention. We will take it up with our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and our Consulate in Dubai, and follow it. We will make sure that the system provides adequate justice. We remain confident in the system of administration and justice in the UAE. Such incidents can be addressed via existing bilateral channels between the two countries.

10.    (Syeda Qurat-ul-Ain, Independent Urdu):    Adding to what Sonia asked, yesterday, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, during the parliament session, he said that over 3500 or 4000 Pakistanis have been deported to Pakistan or have been sent back to Pakistan. He categorically said that UAE did not specify any reason as to why these people were sent back. So, has Pakistan been in contact with the UAE government as to why all of these people have been deported or sent back?

Spokesperson:    Yes, the figure that you quoted corresponds to what I said. My figure was around 3000 – there not much difference between the two figures the one quoted by me and one quoted in the parliament. Pakistan is engaged with the UAE authorities. We have exemplary and good cooperation.

As I said to previous question, if there are incidents of an unjustified deportation, this can be taken up through bilateral channels. Our diplomatic mission is fully authorized to do that. I do not think that there is a need to ascribing of unnecessarily hype to this matter. The figures, as I mentioned, if you look with the backdrop of overall size of the community, then you can reach a certain conclusion about it.

11. (Shrouq Tariq, AFP): I wanted to ask, whether Iran-US war, and the peace talks are on the Prime Minister's agenda while he's traveling to China?

Spokesperson: Pakistan and China have maintained close coordination on the standoff in the Middle East/Gulf and our peace efforts in this regard. You would recall that our Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister visited China last month. We agreed on a five-point principle, which was issued as a joint statement. So, yes, this issue will be discussed during the Prime Minister's visit. China has been supportive of Pakistan's efforts. Whilst the primary focus of the Prime Minister visit is bilateral, the content of the visit is geared towards our bilateral relations – political relations, economic issues that I highlighted in my opening statement. However, this issue (peace efforts between Iran and the US) will come up during the discussion between our Prime Minister and the Chinese leadership.

12.    (Amna Ali, Daily Express): Sir, My question is related to UAE again, sir. Has there been any recent reach out between Pakistan and UAE to reset ties?

Spokesperson: The ties are set, so why to reset?

13.     (Tahir Khan, NNI): My question is there any chance of change of policy towards Afghanistan? Because trade is closed for 8 months now, transit is closed and all routes are closed. Pakistani visas for Afghan citizens are closed for 2 months including medical visas. and I know several cases in which patients are in trouble but were not allowed to enter.

Secondly, keeping in view current relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, what is the future of TAPI, CASA-1000 and the Trans-Afghan Railway (officially the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway) projects?

14.    (Muhammad Saleh Zaafir, The News):   Terrorists emanate from Afghanistan and enter into Pakistan with Afghan authorities help, is there a decrease in patronization of these terrorist attacks? 

Spokesperson: The Pakistan-Afghan relations, in the present situation, are due to single factor, which is that Afghan territory is being used to plan, foment, engineer, and execute terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The culprits are the BLA, the TTP, Fitnah Al Khawarij, Fitnah Al Hind and other terrorist outfits. We have fair reasons to believe that Afghan Taliban regime is either an accomplice to those attacks or is turning its eyes towards the other side to let these attacks happen. As a result, Pakistan took certain actions since last October. We had a single one-point demand that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. We sought written assurances in this regard. Those written assurances Taliban ought to give, because this is their obligation under international law. This is also in line with their commitment under the Doha Agreement. So, unless those written assurances are available, I am afraid the relationship would remain at the state where they are.

And coming to the second question, I am not aware of any particular increase or decrease that you referred. But overall, the situation with respect to attacks, particularly in our border region, particularly against our border posts, have decreased. We would continue to prioritize this issue in our bilateral relations – the issue of the security of our law enforcement agencies, our people, particularly at the border, and indeed the population in the large hinterland. We would not compromise on their security, as has been amply highlighted at this forum in the past and indeed by our leadership as well.

14. (Naveed Siddiqui, Business Recorder): As you said, sir, Pakistan is a mediator and facilitator. Can you clarify that whether Pakistan is merely a facilitator, mediator, or an active guarantor in any future peace framework?

Spokesperson: Pacific settlement of disputes, as a discipline, has certain processes as well-established practice under the UN Charter and International Law. You have facilitation, mediation, arbitration etc. Anybody who engages in it comes with a certain credibility. So, yes, we are facilitating, and we are mediating. Obviously, we come with all the credentials that ought to be there in a mediator or a facilitator.

15. (Aijaz Ahmed, GNN): Sir, you have given plenty of responses on Iran – America questions. I have no question related to that but I want to ask question on Indus water treaty. Few days ago, you might have seen the categorical statement of Indian Foreign Ministry in which they stated that they do not accept the jurisdiction of ICJ and termed it so-called International Court of Arbitration in Indus Water Treaty. India does not accept its jurisdiction. Pakistan’s case is pending there. Next few months will be months of water shortage and when rainfall spell will arrive, and then Pakistan will face same devastation as previous year. In such circumstances, what will be Pakistan’s plan of action and which options does Pakistan have to make India enforce Indus Water Treaty? 

Spokesperson: First of all, there is no exit clause in Indus Water Treaty. There is no way that any party can walk away from this treaty or hold it in abeyance. What India is doing is not just the violation of the Indus Water Treaty, but also the violation of the UN Laws of Treaty. There is very strict legal indictment of doing it. Moreover, the Court of Arbitration established, which gave its verdict in August last year, and a supplemental verdict this week – this arbitration process is enshrined in the Indus Water Treaty. We did not follow the arbitration process outside the treaty. The dispute resolution mechanism (under IWT) has the option of the arbitration, and that option was exercised. Any violation of that treaty or the UN Law of Treaties is a grave violation of international law. A party who commits such a violation is legally indictable, and its reputation is also damaged. 

India claims to be a large power, wishes to play a greater role in the world including at the United Nations, aspires for the seat at the Security Council. Compare its aspirations with its conduct with respect to its signed treaties: that it just violates them at will. So, I think there is a significant legal and political indictment of India, which is going to hurt India in the future. Pakistan will make sure that all the legal provisions under the treaty, under international law and with respect to the international processes are availed. We will not compromise on a single drop of water due for Pakistan, available for Pakistan under the treaty.

16.     (Zahid Farooq Malik, Daily Metro Watch): Kashmiris are facing atrocities. Few days ago, Indian Occupation forces started demolishing houses of indigenous tribes on which there is an outcry even from the puppets like Farooq Abdullah. What is Pakistan’s stance on this? 

Secondly, on UAE situation you deny allegations of systemic deportation. In Senate, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry claimed that only Pakistanis are being deported while providing figures on it. It is observed that there is only one yardstick on which Pakistanis are being deported and that yardstick is some specific names. 

Spokesperson: Firstly, on the house demolitions of the indigenous people, this is a very serious issue in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. You know, there have been a series of violations, particularly against the Bakarwal community, which is a community that exists in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir for generations. In fact, in the whole of Kashmir, this Bakarwal community is part of our social milieu. You refer to the house demolitions, indeed there are grave violations, the purpose of which is not just violation of their rights but also their displacement and the occupation of their land. This is part of the wider agenda for a demographic change and a wider agenda to control over the natural resources of Jammu and Kashmir, to further the economic and political exploitation of that territory. So, Pakistan is fully cognizant of all dimensions.

There are processes within the United Nations on the right of indigenous communities. This is a subset of the wider human rights machinery, I believe there are Special Rapporteur mechanisms on the Right of Indigenous Communities. Pakistan will raise it at these appropriate forums. Human rights violations of the Bakarwal and tribal communities has gone on for many years. You would recall that an infant, a girl child incident, where little girl in Occupied Jammu was maltreated/dishonored, rape was committed. Those who committed rape were actually acquitted by the court and celebrated by the political party to which they belong. They were lauded as heroes. Unfortunately, this a perversion in the society, where there is a licensed brutality, because these perpetrators of crimes were then celebrated by the political parties to whom they belong. This licensed brutality in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir must stand.

Regarding your second question on UAE, I have explained in detail already.

17.    (Ijaz Ali Saghar, Shaheed News): Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Iran yesterday. Al Arabiya has claimed that Field Marshall will not visit Iran. What is the reason behind it? 

Spokesperson: Zeeshan Yousefzai asked that Field Marshal will visit Iran. You are saying he will not. Perhaps the two of you should work it out and reconcile.