Islamabad: Pakistan has categorically rejected as baseless and politically motivated the remarks by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding the ongoing legislative assembly elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said it is unsurprising that India has chosen to issue such remarks on the eve of the 7th anniversary of its illegal and unilateral elections of 5th August, through which it seeks to alter the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir. He said those actions were a flagrant violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, international law and India's own international commitments.
The FO Spokesperson said the elections to the Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are being conducted in a peaceful, transparent and orderly manner in accordance with the constitutional and legal framework governing AJK. He said they reflect democratic aspirations and political will of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
He said India has neither the legal standing nor the moral authority to comment on democratic process in AJK, while it continues to deny the people of Indian illegally occupied Kashmir their fundamental political rights and democratic freedoms.
He said no amount of misinformation or propaganda can alter the legal and historical reality that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognised disputed territory, and its final disposition is to be determined in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions as well as the freely expressed will of the Kashmiri people through the UN-administered plebiscite.
Tahir Andrabi said Indian statements are clearly intended to deflect international attention from its continued violation of international human rights and humanitarian law as well as its persistent failure to fulfill international obligations.
He reiterated Pakistan's call on India to reverse its illegal actions and create an environment conducive to peaceful settlement of the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
When asked about the UN deputy Spokesperson's statement that the 5th August 2019 actions cannot change the status of the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the FO Spokesperson termed it in accordance with the international law and international resolutions. He said the statement is a validation of Pakistan's position and also a reiteration of the international legal position on the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
In his opening statement, the FO Spokesperson said Pakistan remains engaged alongside with its brotherly countries in sincere efforts to resolve the crisis in the Gulf and the Middle East, especially with respect to the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz. He said Pakistan acknowledges and deeply appreciates Oman's valuable contribution and its steadfast efforts to foster de-escalation and peaceful coexistence. He said Pakistan will continue to actively pursue diplomatic engagements and support all sincere efforts aimed at achieving comprehensive, just and lasting resolution to this conflict.
Tahir Andrabi said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 6-8 August 2026. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Forces, and other Ministers. DPM/FM will join the delegation from Madina Munawwara where he made a brief stopover after concluding his visit to Jordan for the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem.
FO spokesperson said that during the visit to Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister will meet with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. Discussions would focus on consolidating the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations as well as exchange of views on regional and international developments of mutual interest. The visit marks Pakistan's longstanding partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia anchored in decades of mutual trust, cooperation and brotherhood.
Tahir Andrabi said that although taking place against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Gulf, the visit will carries significance beyond the immediate crises and short-term considerations. It will further strengthen bilateral relations, deepen strategic cooperation, enhance coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest, and also reinforce multilateral cooperation.
He said that in the context of our ongoing efforts for regional peace, on 30 July 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister held a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. They exchanged views on regional developments, including the situation in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and as well as in Palestine.
On 3 August 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister held a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. The two leaders discussed regional and international developments, including the deteriorating situation in Occupied East Jerusalem. The DPM also invited the Foreign Minister of Iran to visit Pakistan.
Tahir Andrabi said that at the invitation of Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar visited Amman, Jordan, on 5 August 2026 to participate in the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem. The meeting brought together Arab League member states and selected Islamic countries to coordinate a unified response to the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Jerusalem.
He said that Pakistan's participation reaffirmed our steadfast support for the Palestinian people and its commitment to the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Tahir Andrabi said that on the sidelines of the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Jordan, Turkiye, Egypt, Algeria, Iraq and Somalia.
The Foreign Ministers of the R-4 Group; comprising the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Turkiye also met for fifth time in Amman on 05 August 2026. The Ministers reaffirmed their unwavering support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State. They stressed that a just, comprehensive, and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question remains essential for achieving durable peace and stability in the Middle East. The Ministers also reviewed the regional situation and underscored the importance of continued consultation, close coordination, and diplomacy to promote regional peace, security, stability, and de-escalation.
Tahir Andrabi said that Pakistan commemorated Youm-e-Istehsal on 5 August 2026, marking the seventh anniversary of India's illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Kashmiri people's inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.