Islamabad: Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi has sad that Pakistan expresses complete solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its commitment to security of the Kingdom. FO Spokesperson also expressed deep concern over resurgence of violence in Yemen. FO spokesperson said Pakistan reiterates its support for the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen, as well as all efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability in the country. He said that India should implement the Indus Water Treaty. He said that Pakistani Indus Water Commissioner has sent the questions to his Indian counterpart, adding that we demand India to respond the questions of the Pakistani Indus Water Commissioner.
This was stated by Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi while addressing the first weekly press briefing of 2026 on Thursday.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi said today, on 1st January, as per our bilateral agreements, Pakistan and India exchange lists of prisoners in each other's custody. Accordingly, the Government of Pakistan today handed over a list of 257 Indian prisoners (58 civil+ 199 fishermen) in Pakistan to the High Commission of India in Islamabad.
He said that this step is consistent with the provisions of the Consular Access Agreement between Pakistan and India, signed on 21 May 2008, under which both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other's custody twice a year, on 1" January and 1" July, respectively.
He said 'the Indian Government, I understand, is also sharing the list of Pakistani prisoners with Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
Also, on 1 January, Pakistan and India exchange the lists of their respective nuclear installations pursuant to the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India. Signed on 31 December 1988, the Agreement, inter alia, provides that both countries shall inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities, falling within its definition, on 1st January of each calendar year. Accordingly, the list of nuclear installations and facilities in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today'.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi said 'The Indian Government, I understand, is also sharing the list of Indian nuclear installations with Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi today'.
FO Spokesperson said that on Wednesday evening, we issued press release expressing deep concern over resurgence of violence in Yemen. Pakistan reiterates its support for the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen, as well as all efforts aimed at establishing lasting peace and stability in the country. In this regard, Pakistan strongly opposes unilateral steps by any Yemeni party that may further escalate the situation, undermine peace efforts, and threaten the peace and stability of Yemen as well as that of the region, he said.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that Pakistan welcomes regional efforts for de-escalating the situation and maintaining peace and stability in Yemen. Pakistan expresses complete solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its commitment to security of the Kingdom. Pakistan maintains its firm support for the resolution of Yemen issue through dialogue and diplomacy and hopes that Yemen's people and regional powers work together towards inclusive and enduring settlement of the issue, safeguarding regional stability.
He said that on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
FO spokesperson said that both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening of the long-standing fraternal bonds between both countries that had attained new heights during recent months.
He said that the two leaders also discussed and exchanged views on the regional situation and current developments. The Prime Minister emphasized upon the need to maintain unity and harmony among the ranks of the Ummah, in the midst of various current challenges. While expressing Pakistan's complete solidarity with the Kingdom, the Prime Minister said that it was imperative to maintain regional peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was very positive on expanding cooperation with Pakistan in all areas of mutual interest. He also expressed his desire to undertake an official visit to Pakistan in the coming year.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar also held a telephone conversation Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Both leaders exchanged views on the current regional situation and recent developments. The DPM/FM conveyed Season's Greetings and best wishes for the New Year, which were warmly reciprocated by Prince Faisal. The DPM/FM expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. Prince Faisal reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening and enhancing bilateral ties.
He said that the top leadership of Pakistan and United Arab Emirates were also in close contact this week. As you are aware, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi undertook an official visit to Pakistan, at the invitation of our Prime Minister. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers and senior officials. The two leaders met in Islamabad and later in Rahim Yar Khan.
He said that during these meetings, views were exchanged on bilateral cooperation and a variety of subjects. The meeting capped off a year of extensive leadership-level engagements between Pakistan and the UAE. The visit of His Highness reflects the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries shared commitment of both sides to further enhancing collaboration in key areas, including trade, investment, energy, development and regional stability.
He said that Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq visited Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, to attend the State Funeral of Former Prime Minster of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that our Speaker National Assembly visited the residence of the late former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, where he met her son, Tariq Rehman, and her daughter. He expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia and conveyed condolences on behalf the people and leadership of Pakistan. He noted that services of the late Prime Minister for the progress, prosperity, and welfare of the brotherly people of Bangladesh would always be remembered with respect. He also paid homage for her contributions to strengthening the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that this visit reflects the honour and deep respect accorded to Late Begum Khalida Zia by the Prime Minister, the Government, the Parliament, and the people of Pakistan, who regarded her as a sincere friend of Pakistan. While in Dhaka, the Speaker National Assembly also met Bangladesh's National Security Advisor Khalilur Rehman, Advisor on Law and Justice, Asif Nazrul and Acting Chairman of BNP, Tarique Rahman.
FO Spokesperson said that Pakistan strongly condemns any attempts to undermine the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia, and rejects, in this regard, the announcement made by Israel recognising the independence of the so-called Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
He said that Pakistan reiterates its complete support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, as well as for all efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.
He said that Pakistan also reiterates its unequivocal rejection of any steps aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians from their land under any circumstances, and reaffirms its unwavering support for the Palestinian people in their just struggle for self-determination and for a sovereign, independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
He said that Deputy PM/FM Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar joined the Foreign Ministers of Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, The Gambia, Egypt, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, the State of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Trkiye, Yemen, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, in issuing a joint statement underscored the following:
Unequivocal rejection of Israel's recognition of the 'Somaliland' region of the Federal Republic of Somalia
Condemnation in the strongest terms of such recognition, which constitutes a grave violation of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Full support of the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Recognition of parts of states constitutes a serious precedent and threatens international peace and security, and violates the cardinal principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Full rejection of any potential link between such measure and any attempts to forcibly expel the Palestinian people out of their land, which is unequivocally rejected in any form as a matter of principle.
He said that Ishaq Dar received a call from HH Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz governor of Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Prince Fahd conveyed season's greetings and best wishes for New Year. DPM/FM reciprocated the Prince's warm sentiments. Two dignitaries expressed desire to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
He said that Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, received a call from Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Bakhtiyor Saidov. FM Bakhtiyor further confirmed the visit of President of Uzbekistan in February 2026. Views were exchanged on regional and international developments and on ways to enhance bilateral relations further by deepening cooperation.
He said that Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister received a call from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali. The DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan's full support for Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and condemned any actions aimed at undermining it.
He said that the Somali Foreign Minister thanked the DPM/FM for standing by Somalia and for Pakistan's continued and sustained support. He also sought Pakistan's assistance in raising Somalia's concerns at the UNSC. The DPM/FM affirmed Pakistan's full support for Somalia at the UN and other multilateral fora.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Egypt Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the positive momentum in bilateral relations. They shared views on regional and global developments especially Somalia and Yemen. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting regional peace, stability and development.
We also announced on Wednesday evening that Pakistan and China will hold the 7th round of the Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, scheduled to be held in Beijing on 4 January 2026. This Dialogue takes place at the level of Foreign Ministers. He said that Ishaq Dar will be visiting China, at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
He sad that the Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue is the highest consultative mechanism between Pakistan and China, providing a structured platform to review the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international developments of mutual interest. Since the closure of the border, our Embassy and Consulates have constantly been in touch with the Pakistani nationals in Afghanistan, including students, who sought assistance for their repatriation.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that our Missions are also in contact with the Afghan authorities regarding their safety and wellbeing, and are coordinating with our relevant authorities to ensure their safe return. He said that as of now, 15 students and 291 individuals, who were in contact with our Embassy, have safely returned to Pakistan, for which our Embassy undertook requisite coordination with local authorities and offered necessary assistance. (Note: A total of 1,199 Pakistanis approached our Embassy in Kabul seeking assistance for their return. These include 549 students and 402 individuals, including those with families. Out of these, 15 students and 291 individuals have already returned to Pakistan by air).