Islamabad: Pakistan has strongly condemned the persecution of Hurriyet leader Muhammad Yasin Malik by India. At the weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan urged the UN and other human rights and humanitarian bodies to take cognizance of Yasin Malik's situation, his health and the systematic denial of fundamental rights in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

On the affidavit submitted by the Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik in connection with a trumped-up charge dating back to 1990, the spokesperson said the stance taken by him is a damning indictment to the Indian judicial system which has acted as a convenient tool in the hands of the Indian government in suppressing the Kashmiri people and depriving them of any recourse to justice.

Sajjad Haider Khan said deteriorating health of Yasin Malik is matter of great concern. He said international community must not allow the Indian design to mortgage his life and well-being to advance its oppressive occupation of the IIOJK. He said Pakistan will continue to raise his case and the human rights situation in IIOJK at the UN and all other international fora. He said the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Security Council resolutions, cannot be diminished by Indian state oppression.

The FO spokesperson also condemned the systematic state-sanctioned demolition of Islamic holy places in India on different pretexts. He called upon the international community to take immediate notice of these systematic persecutions taking place in India against Muslims and continued desecration and destruction of their places of worship.

To a question, the FO spokesperson reiterated Pakistan's unwavering support to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He said Pakistan has been and will continue to pursue dialogue and diplomacy for peace and stability in the broader region as well.

Regarding Makkah Defence Alliance, he said the primary objective is to strengthen regional peace and stability and the agreement in essence formalises and further strengthens many aspects of the existing long term relationship and bilateral cooperation among the three countries. He emphasized that the agreement is purely for defensive purposes.

Foreign Office Spokesperson said that Pakistani forces were currently present in Saudi Arabia for training and logistical purposes, while further aspects of defence cooperation would emerge soon.

The FO Spokesperson strongly condemned the Houthi attacks on civilian and economic sites in Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed its 'unwavering support' for the kingdom's sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and prosperity.

The Foreign Office Spokesperson also condemned the 'systematic' and 'state-sanctioned' demolition of Muslim places of worship in India.

Responding to a question, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan 'expresses deep concern and condemns the systematic state-sanctioned demolition of Islamic holy places in India under different pretexts'.

He said the demolitions were in violation of the Liaquat-Nehru Pact signed in 1950, which guarantees the security and rights of religious minorities.

The FO spokesperson also said the demolitions violated Indian laws, particularly the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The law requires the religious character of places of worship to be maintained as it existed on August 15, 1947.

Referring to the recent demolition of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh, he said: 'The Hindu-driven Islamophobic campaign has resulted in an imminent threat and the destruction of centuries-old heritage sites and places of worship.'

He cited the Akhonji Mosque, Ajgaib Shaheed Mosque and Saharanpur Collectorate Mosque, as well as the 1,000-year-old Ganj Shahida Mosque, which has recently received court notices.

The spokesperson called on the international community to take action against continued persecution of Muslims in India.

He also rejected a statement by India's Ministry of External Affairs regarding a Hindu temple in Narowal.

'Contrary to India's claim, the temple's structure was damaged in torrential rain,' he said.

To another question, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan would not like to be part of any geopolitical contestation. He said we have excellent relations with USA. He mentioned the deep relations with China and said it has been there for more than five decades as one of the anchors of our foreign policy. He said Pakistan is also growing relations with Russia. He maintained that Pakistan does not see its relations with one country through the prism of the other country.

The spokesperson said Pakistan has always supported and actively implemented the Global Governance Initiative. He said Pakistan stands ready to work with China and all other countries to make deeper and more substantive advances in implementing this initiative.