Islamabad: Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan has said that the human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue unabated. The Indian authorities once again decided to deny permission to hold Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the historic Jama Masjid and Eidgah in Srinagar. The worshippers were also barred from gathering at the Jama Masjid during the holy night of Laila-tul-Qadr. The Indian authorities are in the habit of enforcing similar curbs in Srinagar for past several years.
Restraining the ordinary people from congregating on special religious occasions poses serious challenges to the religious freedom of Muslims in IIOJK. The Kashmiri people's rights to freely practice their religion and of peaceful Assembly must be respected.
While addressing a weekly press briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that at the invitation of President Aleksandr Lukashenko, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will pay an official visit to the Republic of Belarus from 10 to 11 April 2025. The high-level delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif besides other senior officials. This visit follows President Lukashenko's important trip to Pakistan in November 2024.
During his stay, the Prime Minister will hold talks with President Lukashenko to review progress in areas of mutual interest. Over the past six months, a series of high-level bilateral engagements-including the 8th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in February 2025 and a subsequent visit by a high-powered mixed ministerial delegation to Belarus in April 2025 - have laid the groundwork for a productive visit.
The two sides are expected to sign several agreements to further strengthen cooperation. The Prime Minister's visit underscores the strong and ongoing partnership between Pakistan and Belarus.
FO spokesperson said that Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone call with the Advisor for Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, Md. Touhid Hossain. The two leaders exchanged Eid greetings, discussed areas of mutual interest, and reiterated their commitment for future engagements and cooperation.
He also held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HH Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud. The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed commitment to strengthen existing fraternal ties between the two brotherly countries.
Earlier this week Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone call with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, and investment in various sectors, especially critical minerals and counterterrorism. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and regional security, including the situation in Afghanistan and agreed on the need to resolve the issue of US Military equipment left behind in Afghanistan. Both sides further agreed to remain in close contact and to work together to advance the shared interests of both countries.
Earlier this week, a high-level meeting was held between the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and the Minister for Economy of Azerbaijan, Mikayil Jabbarov. The discussion reaffirmed the shared commitment of both sides to enhancing trade, investment, and long-term economic collaboration especially in sectors like infrastructure, energy, green energy, and IT. Both countries maintain regular bilateral contact through platforms such as the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), with a particular emphasis on Government-to-Government (G2G) and Business-to-Business (B2B) collaboration. Both sides look forward to signing a number of agreements and MoUs during the upcoming visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, marking a significant milestone in advancing the excellent bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
Shafqat Ali Khan said that Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch is currently on an official visit to Amman, Jordan, to lead Pakistan delegation for the 2nd round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Jordan scheduled to be held today.
During the above consultations different regional and international matters of mutual interest and concern, including inter alia current situation in Occupied Palestinian Territories; evolving dynamics in the Levant, developments in South Asia as well as state of cooperation in different domains of Pakistan-Jordan relations would be discussed. Such consultations are aimed at increasing mutual understanding and enhanced coordination on different bilateral, regional and international matters.
He said that Additional Secretary (Europe), Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, held bilateral consultations with Deputy Secretary General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, David Bertolotti on 7th April 2025. The two sides reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation under the Pakistan-France Bilateral Roadmap for Cooperation (2023); exchanged views on regional and global developments; and pledged to further strengthen bilateral ties, enhance cooperation and maintain close coordination on issues of mutual interest.
FO spokesperson said that under the direction of Prime Minister Muhamamd Shehbaz Sharif, the Government of Pakistan dispatched relief goods for the earthquake victims in Myanmar. First flight departed from Islamabad International Airport on 1st April 2025, carrying 35 tons of essential supplies.
Shafqat Ali Khan said that Pakistan in the strongest possible terms condemns the continued aggression and atrocities committed by Israeli occupying forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza. The indiscriminate violence has claimed thousands of innocent Palestinian lives, including women, children, medical personnel, journalists and humanitarian workers, marking yet another dark chapter in Israel's brutal occupation.
He said that in the latest incidence of brutality, Israel has mercilessly killed 15 Palestinian emergency and civil defense workers during direct gunfire. All the audio and video evidence has substantiated Israel's indiscriminate use of force against unarmed innocent Palestinian civilians. Pakistan demand that the international community should take immediate notice of this barbarity and stop this blatant violation of international law and charter of the United Nations.
He said that Pakistan reaffirms full support to the upcoming high-level international conference for the peaceful settlement of Question of Palestine and the implementation of two-state solution. We commend France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for co-chairing the preparatory consultations for the June 2025 Conference.
Shafqat Ali Khan said that we sincerely hope that the June Conference will rise to the occasion and restore hope in peace and justice through meaningful action. We believe that in the lead-up to the Conference: The ceasefire must be fully implemented; the blockade on Gaza must be lifted; humanitarian access must be guaranteed; civilians and humanitarian personnel must be protected. Any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians or annex their land must be unequivocally rejected and effectively prevented.
On the invitation of the Turkish government, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar will visit Trkiye to attend the Fourth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, being held from 11-13 April in Antalya. The annual Forum gathers global leaders, policymakers, diplomats, academics, and media representatives for high-level discussions on pressing international issues and evolving global dynamics.
Shafqat Ali Khan said that considering the interconnected nature of global trade, the imposition of tariffs by the United States, can have far reaching effects, particularly on developing countries.
He said Pakistan hopes for a swift and mutually beneficial resolution of the issue. He mentioned that as for imposition of tariffs on Pakistan is concerned, he said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a steering committee and a working group to examine the fresh tariffs.
Replying to a question, the Spokesperson said recent discontinuation Global Undergraduate Exchange Programme between Pakistan and the United States marks an end of fifteen years engagement which has played a pivotal role in academic and cultural enrichments of thousands of Pakistani students.
He said Pakistan believes that student exchange programmes play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations by focusing on education scientific and technological collaborations and people to people contacts.
Replying to a question about passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Indian Lok Sabha, the Spokesperson termed it an act to dispossess Muslims from their properties including mosques and shrines and marginalizing the minorities.