ISLAMABAD: Pakistan remains in contact with the United States and Iran in its mediatory role and is pursuing diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between the two countries, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said on Friday.
Addressing his weekly press briefing, Khan said Pakistan supported negotiations between Washington and Tehran and wanted both countries to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than confrontation.
He said the United States and Iran would have to determine the agenda for any potential negotiations themselves, while Pakistan would continue its diplomatic efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
The spokesperson said Pakistan was a responsible member of the international community and remained committed to implementing international sanctions in accordance with international and domestic obligations.
Responding to a question about the Pakistan-Iran border, Khan said there was no information on the ground regarding its closure and that the movement of pilgrims between the two countries continued.
He said Pakistan had taken note of remarks by Marco Rubio regarding its status as a nuclear-armed state.
Khan said Pakistan and the United States maintained strong bilateral relations based on trade and investment.
Pakistan seeks verifiable action against terrorism from Afghanistan
The spokesperson said Pakistan was prepared to engage in dialogue with Afghanistan, provided that threats against Pakistan originating from Afghan territory were eliminated.
He said Pakistan believed it could resolve disputes through negotiations and had remained engaged in dialogue with Afghanistan since 2021.
However, Khan said negotiations would remain meaningless unless the Afghan side acknowledged terrorist activities originating from its territory.
He said Pakistan was prepared to pursue diplomacy but required assurances that a verifiable mechanism would be established to control and eliminate terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.
The spokesperson said more than 20 militant terrorist groups were present in Afghanistan, according to the United Nations.
Dar to attend seven-nation talks in Istanbul
Khan said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had arrived in Istanbul at the invitation of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to attend the R4 and R4+E3 foreign ministers’ meetings.
He said the R4 meeting would bring together the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The spokesperson said a meeting involving the R4 countries and the E3 group, comprising the United Kingdom, France and Germany, would also take place.
He said the gathering would mark the first foreign ministers’ meeting in this seven-nation format.
Khan said participants would discuss major regional developments, shared challenges, and coordinated diplomatic strategies to promote regional peace and stability.
He said Dar would also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts during the visit.
The spokesperson said Pakistan’s participation reflected its commitment to constructive diplomacy, regional cooperation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Khan said Dar had also attended a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Dushanbe and maintained contacts with his Egyptian and Iranian counterparts.
He said the deputy prime minister had addressed a United Nations Day event in Islamabad.
Makkah defence agreement aimed at collective security
The Foreign Office spokesperson said the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia was intended to strengthen collective defence, deterrence and regional security.
He said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had completed their ratification processes, while the Turkish Parliament was considering the agreement.
Khan said the agreement was defensive and not directed against any third country.
He said the three countries would make decisions through joint consultations in the event of external aggression, in accordance with the agreement’s relevant provisions.
The spokesperson said the agreement contained no secret clauses beyond its stated provisions.
Referring to Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, Khan said the three countries would jointly make any decision under the relevant article of the agreement.
He said Pakistan was deeply concerned about the continuing conflict in Yemen and its regional consequences.
Khan said Pakistan strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and continued to support dialogue and diplomacy to establish lasting peace.
Four countries agree on defence industry cooperation
The spokesperson said Pakistan, Qatar, Turkiye and Indonesia had signed the Badr Memorandum of Understanding to promote cooperation in the defence industry sector.
He said the agreement was announced in Qatar and that the defence minister had participated in the meeting concerning the arrangement.
Khan said all four countries possessed expertise in the defence industry and were expected to benefit from exchanging their experiences and capabilities.
He said the agreement covered cooperation in the defence industrial sector and represented an important arrangement among the participating countries.
Pakistan rejects Indian allegations, warns against false flag operations
The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan categorically rejected allegations made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
He said the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation had rejected India’s decision to alter the status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Khan said Jammu and Kashmir remained an unresolved international dispute.
He also condemned the Indian government’s move to force the vacation of the historic Race Course Mosque.
The spokesperson said the move reflected what Pakistan considered growing Islamophobia and the mistreatment of minorities in India.
He called on the international community to take notice of the situation.
Khan accused India of conducting false flag operations in the past and said Pakistan was prepared to respond to any such potential operation.
Pakistan will not allow diversion of its water share
Referring to the Indus Waters Treaty, the spokesperson said Pakistan would not allow its share of water to be diverted.
He said although the treaty was an agreement between Pakistan and India, its implications extended beyond the two countries.
Khan said the use of water as a weapon by an upstream state could establish a precedent with consequences for other regions of the world.
He said the treaty had wider implications for international water governance and agreements concerning the sharing of water resources.
The spokesperson said Pakistan remained committed to protecting its water rights under the treaty.
Pakistan, EU agree to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation
Khan said Pakistan and the European Union had agreed to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation during the 10th round of their counterterrorism dialogue held in Islamabad.
He said both sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and expressed concern over the security situation in Afghanistan.
The spokesperson said the European Union condemned recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, expressed sympathy with affected citizens and acknowledged Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts.
He said Pakistan and the EU agreed to enhance cooperation at international forums, including the United Nations, to address terrorism and related security threats.
Khan said both sides expressed concern over the use of cyberspace, information and energy resources for terrorist purposes.
He said the two sides also agreed to exchange experiences in countering violent extremism and preventing terrorist financing.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Director General for Counter-Terrorism Dr Fariha Bugti, while the European Union delegation was headed by Special Envoy for Counter-Terrorism Anna Strzaska.
The spokesperson said the next round of Pakistan-EU counterterrorism talks would be held in Brussels next year.
Pakistan, Maldives agree to expand bilateral cooperation
The spokesperson said Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu held meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Pakistan.
He said both countries exchanged agreements and memorandums of understanding covering various sectors of bilateral cooperation.
Khan said Pakistan and the Maldives also held a business forum, creating opportunities for trade, investment and cooperation between the two countries.
He said Pakistan and the Maldives were celebrating the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.
The spokesperson said the Maldivian president’s visit renewed their longstanding friendly relations, with both countries committing to develop a partnership that meets future needs.
President Zardari visiting Germany for bilateral talks
Khan said President Asif Ali Zardari was visiting Germany from October 22 to 24 and would meet with the German president, senior leadership, and prominent business figures.
He said the discussions would focus on bilateral relations, particularly economic and commercial cooperation between Pakistan and Germany.
The spokesperson said the visit was especially significant as the two countries marked 75 years of diplomatic relations.
He said the visit reflected their commitment to further strengthening the bilateral partnership.
The spokesperson also said Pakistan and Latvia had held the seventh round of bilateral political consultations.
