Islamabad, 18 Aug, 2023 (GNP): Pakistan stated on Thursday that its interaction with the United States in the area of mutual interest remains “productive and fruitful,” as it grows with many other friendly countries both inside and beyond the region.
The Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during a routine media briefing said that Islamabad appreciated peace and dialogue among countries particularly those who are on good terms with Pakistan.
While Mumtaz was queried about a comment made by the US regarding regional stability, she replied, “We believe that Pakistan’s engagement with the United States on aspects of mutual concern has been quite productive and fruitful.”
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Reportedly, the FO’s spokesperson remarked, “Pakistan has always said that it would like to partner with all friendly countries to promote peace and dialogue in South Asia, Afghanistan, and in the context of Pakistan-India relations.”
While responding to a different question regarding the recent developments in Iran-US relations, Mumtaz said, “welcomed peace and dialogue between countries, especially between our friends.”
Mumtaz in her opening statement urged India to halt the illegal and unjustified imprisonment of Khurrum Pervaiz, Irfan Mehraj and numerous other Kashmiri activists, suffering in different jails.
She also highlighted a communication addressed to India, endorsed by several UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights, enforced disappearances, freedom of peaceful assembly, and fundamental freedoms.
“The UN special procedures for human rights have expressed serious concerns at the arrest, detention, and charges against Kashmiri human rights defenders Khurram Pervaiz and Irfan Mehraj,” the spokesperson added.
Moreover, she expressed that the communication was another accusation of the Indian occupation authorities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as it followed criminal tactics to silence and harass Kashmiri human rights protectors.
Furthermore, Mumtaz stated, “The UN Special Procedures had expressed concern that their arrests and detention were designed to delegitimize their human rights work and to obstruct monitoring of the human rights situation in IIOJK.”
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While commenting on the Pakistan cricket team’s visit to India to compete in the ICC World Cup, the spokesperson emphasized that it would be the host nation’s responsibility to give the players with impenetrable security.
“We believe that it is their responsibility to provide … an environment in which our players can participate without fear for their safety and without undue harassment by the spectators in the stands,” she said.
Regarding the relations with Afghanistan, she claimed that Pakistan had previously stated numerous times that it would welcome peace and harmony between the two countries. “This has been an area of regular contact and dialogue between our two countries,” she added.
