Pakistan has formally sought a response from India on the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty, as the Pakistani Indus Waters Commissioner has sent a set of questions to his Indian counterpart, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andarabi said during the weekly briefing in Islamabad on Thursday.
The spokesperson urged all parties to avoid actions that could heighten regional tensions, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to restraint and dialogue on sensitive regional issues.
Providing an update on the Afghan border situation, Andarabi said Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Afghanistan has remained in close contact with Pakistani nationals since the border closure, adding that 291 Pakistanis, including 15 students, have been successfully repatriated.
On regional and global affairs, the spokesperson said Pakistan continues to support China on all its core issues, including Taiwan, and confirmed that the Pakistan-China foreign ministers’ level strategic dialogue will be held in Beijing on January 4.
Addressing developments in the Middle East, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a peaceful resolution of the Yemen conflict and said Islamabad backs regional efforts aimed at restoring stability in the country.
He also rejected Israel’s announcement to recognise Somaliland, stating that Pakistan, along with several Muslim countries, has condemned the move in a joint statement issued by their foreign ministers. On Palestine, Andarabi reiterated Pakistan’s firm opposition to any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from their homeland.
The spokesperson said National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq visited Bangladesh to attend the funeral of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, during which he conveyed condolences to her son and held meetings with Bangladeshi leaders in Dhaka.
Highlighting recent diplomatic engagements, Andarabi said the Prime Minister of Pakistan held a telephone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
He added that the President of the United Arab Emirates recently visited Pakistan, where discussions between the Prime Minister and the UAE President focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation.
He said Pakistan and India on Thursday carried out key annual confidence-building measures by exchanging lists of nuclear installations and prisoners through their High Commissions.
Andrabi said the exchange of nuclear facilities list war carried out under a bilateral agreement signed on 31 December 1988. He said Pakistan has also handed over list of 257 Indian prisoners languishing in Pakistani jails to New Delhi.
