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Transcript of the Weekly Press Briefing by the Spokesperson, Friday July 11, 2025

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Assalam-o-Alaikum,

Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, is leading the Pakistan delegation at the 32nd Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), being held today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

At the ARF Ministerial Meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister will participate in discussions on political and security issues affecting Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on promoting peace, stability, and mutual cooperation through dialogue.
On the sidelines of the 32nd ARF Ministerial Meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim; Canadian Foreign Minister, Anita Anand; Foreign Minister of Australia, Senator Penny Wong; Foreign Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thongsavanh Phomvihane; Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Vijitha Herath; Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov; EU High Representative & Vice President, Kaja Kallas; Foreign Minister of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis; and the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy.

The leaders reviewed the progress of ongoing bilateral engagements and expressed their commitment to further enhancing cooperation particularly in economic, trade, investment, education, tourism, high-level political exchanges, and people-to-people contact. They also discussed a range of regional and global issues, including the recent developments in the region. He also engaged with the Pakistani community in Kuala Lumpur.

On the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, co-chair of the Joint Commission under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) framework, and the Minister of National Defence, Yasar Güler, co-chair of the Joint Ministerial Commission, visited Islamabad on 9 July 2025.

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister welcomed the visiting dignitaries and underscored the close and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Türkiye. He appreciated the growing momentum in bilateral cooperation and stressed the importance of expanding collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, and energy.

The Turkish Foreign Minister conveyed warm greetings from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and reaffirmed Türkiye's strong desire to deepen cooperation with Pakistan. He highlighted the profound historical, cultural, and religious bonds that underpin the enduring relationship between the two countries.

The two sides also exchanged views on a range of regional and global developments. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, security, and development in the region.

The first meeting of the Joint Commission, co-chaired by the two Foreign Ministers, to review the progress of the twelve Joint Standing Committees under the HLSCC framework was also held on 9 July 2025.

A high-powered delegation led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Syed Tariq Fatemi, as well as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, who is also the focal point for the Pakistan Steel Mills project, called on Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk in Moscow today.

The two sides reviewed the entire range of bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest, including political, trade and economic cooperation, as well as energy, connectivity, industrial and agricultural cooperation. Furthermore, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi underlined that Pakistan attached high importance to its relations with the Russian Federation, adding that strengthening relations with the latter was one of the Pakistan's foreign policy priorities. He affirmed that Pakistan viewed Russia as a stabilizing factor in the international arena. The SAPM Haroon Akhtar gave an overview of the investment-friendly industrial policy of Pakistan, that had ensured macro-economic stability, achieved under the present Government.

The two sides also touched upon regional and international issues, such as the situation in South Asia, Afghanistan, and the Middle East, as well as bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Russia at all multilateral fora.

The inaugural round of the Additional Secretary-Level Mechanism between the Foreign Ministries of Pakistan and Afghanistan was held on 7 July 2025 in Islamabad, pursuant to the decisions reached during the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan to Kabul, Afghanistan, on 19 April 2025. Additional Secretary (Afghanistan & West Asia), Ambassador Syed Ali Asad Gillani, led Pakistani side while the Afghan side was led by Director General, First Political Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor.

Discussions covered key areas of bilateral interest, including trade and transit cooperation, repatriation of Afghan refugees, security, and connectivity. Both sides recognized terrorism as a serious threat to regional peace and security. The Pakistan side emphasized the need for concrete actions against terrorist groups operating on the Afghan soil, noting that such groups undermine Pakistan's security and hinder regional development.

Both sides reaffirmed their support for sustained engagement to address mutual challenges. They recognized lasting security as a cornerstone, for both the region's optimal development as well as for further advancement of bilateral relations. They decided to convene the next round of the Additional-Secretary level talks at mutually convenient dates.

The 9th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) between Pakistan and the Republic of Poland was held in Warsaw, Poland, on 4 July 2025. The Pakistan delegation was led by Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe), Ambassador Muhammad Ayub, while the Polish delegation was headed by Secretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski. The Ambassador of Pakistan to Poland, Muhammad Sami-ur-Rehman, and the Polish Ambassador to Pakistan, Maciej Pisarski, were also present during the consultations.

The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthening cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, energy, security and defence, science and technology, agriculture, migration and mobility and higher education. Regional and global issues of mutual interest, including developments in South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe were discussed in depth. Both sides also agreed to enhance collaboration including through the continued cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations; exchange of high-level visits; parliamentary exchanges and dialogue. It was mutually agreed to hold the next round of consultations in Islamabad in 2026.

The 94th 'Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Kashmir' (Kashmir Martyrs Day) will be observed on 13 July 2025 to remember the martyrdom of 22 Kashmiris, who sacrificed their lives in Srinagar in 1931 while braving the indiscriminate firing of Dogra forces of the erstwhile 'Maharaja' of Jammu and Kashmir. We salute their courage and bravery, which ignited a valiant struggle for the Kashmiri peoples' fundamental rights and freedoms.

This is most unfortunate that the plight of the Kashmiri people remains unending even after 94 years of the Srinagar tragedy. The Indian Forces enjoy impunity to kill any Kashmiri and destroy any property under the draconian emergency and counterterrorism laws. Earlier this week, the ninth anniversary of the extrajudicial killing of the Kashmiri youth leader, Burhan Muzaffar Wani, was observed. Mr. Wani was one of the hundreds of Kashmiri youth, who have been victims of extra-judicial killings. So, we once again urge the Government of India to bring an end to extra-judicial killings and desist from indiscriminate use of force against the Kashmiri people.

I Thank you!

***
(Asghar Ali Mubarak, The Daily Mail International): Sir, as you have said in your opening statement that human rights violations are ongoing in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. And recently, public was restricted from doing preparations regarding Ashura in India. Your comments?

(Raziq Mahmood Bhatti, Daily Kashmir News): Sir, a few days back a young boy was arrested, disgraced, and humiliated by making him wear a garland of shoes by the India forces. If India has stooped to such level, on which forums is Pakistan raising its voice against such human rights violation issues as an advocate?

Spokesperson: Our position on this issue is steadfast, clear and unambiguous. We condemn the human rights violation which are being perpetrated inside the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and this is for the entire international community to see. We continue to raise awareness of the international community about the dire and the grim human rights situation inside IIOJK. Indian armed forces, the occupying forces, are acting with impunity, operating with impunity, with license to kill. And the worst human rights violations are being committed on the life, freedom, culture and dignity of the Kashmiri people for decades now. Pakistan will continue to highlight the depravity of the Indian policies. We will continue to draw international communities' attention to this spectacle of gore and depravation.

(Naveed Siddiqui, Business Recorder): Sir, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Chairman of ruling coalition party i.e. Pakistan Peoples Party, and the son of the President of Pakistan, gave a categoric statement a few days back in an interview with the foreign media outlet that Pakistan can extradite or hand over Maulana Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed or any individual of particular concern for the CBMs. Is it a new policy of the government of Pakistan or any shift in the existing policy? please comment.

Spokesperson: Firstly, he did not name anyone. Secondly government of Pakistan's position on this issue is clear. The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Ministry, and the Security Committee of the Cabinet, at multiple levels have, clearly expressed and explained the position in very clear terms. About the specifics of the Honorable Mr. Bilawal Bhutto's statement, I would refer you to the Spokesman of the Pakistan Peoples Party. However, if you go through the interview, his statement does not mention any name. He is talking about a situation of development of relations in generic terms. His Spokesman can better articulate that. But the government of Pakistan's position is very clear on this.

(Shaukat Piracha, Aaj TV): Speaking today at IIT Madras, Indian NSA, Mr. Ajit Doval, has claimed that India attacked 13 air bases in Pakistan. He also said that India did not miss any of the 9 targets which it had decided to hit on 7 May 2025. How do you respond to the claim made by their National Security Advisor?

And if you allow me, I have another question. You just talked about Additional Secretary level talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the statement issued claimed that Pakistan once again repeated the red line that there should be no infiltration. This red line has been ignored by Afghanistan a hundred times before, are you sure this time at the Additional Secretary level, Afghanistan will mend its ways and respond positively to Pakistani calls?

Spokesperson: The remarks of the Indian NSA are replete with distortions and misrepresentations. They not only reflect a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, but also violate the norms of responsible statecraft. Boasting of military aggression against a sovereign nation is a grave breach of the United Nations Charter and established principles of international law. Rather than resorting to fictitious narratives, India should accept the downing of six fighter jets and severe damages to other military targets. Besides, it is a matter of public knowledge that the so-called terrorist targets attacked by India resulted actually in the death of civilians, including women and children. Glorification of conflict benefits no one. The path of a lasting peace lies in dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to international law.

About your question relating to Afghanistan, in the context of the recent meeting of the Additional Secretary level talks between the two countries, this issue of infiltration has been highlighted just as in the past. We stay engaged with the Afghan authorities and approach the dialogue with good faith. In good faith we try to engage Afghanistan and develop friendly, brotherly, neighborly relations. In terms of the commonalities between the two countries, two cultures, it should be the best of relationships. But the core point which you flagged remains sanctuaries enjoyed by the terrorists inside the Afghan territory. Discussions on this are an ongoing process and we continue to raise this issue. We hope Afghan side will take up our concerns with more seriousness and greater responsibility.

(Tahir Khan, NNI News Agency): Sir, my question is regarding the nature of this AS level political consultations. Is it a new process? If it is a new process, then what are its terms, conditions and objectives? When did it start? Also is it just at the Additional Secretaries' level or will there be something like Special Envoy's or Foreign Ministers' level? Secondly, can we say that this has ended the Ashraf Ghani government's very comprehensive dialogue process? Has that pact ended?

Spokesperson: There are multiple channels of communication and interaction between the two countries. We have communication at the level of Foreign Ministry, the Special Representatives, and the Embassies. Additional Secretary level talks are more akin to a bilateral political consultations. This provides another layer or channel of communication at the working level to discuss issues, exchange views and try to find the common points, in order to provide inputs to the senior decision makers. This is nothing out of the ordinary. The decision for this dialogue mechanism was taken during the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister's visit to Kabul on the 19th of April 2025.

(Khalid Mahmood, Express News): Indian proxies are working for a very long time in Balochistan. Recently there have been very grave incidents in the last few days, especially the bus incident of yesterday. Would you share any dossier regarding this situation on the international level?

(Aijaz Ahmed, GNN News): In respect of recent questions regarding the meeting of Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Additional Secretary level, are there any signs that Indian involvement through Afghanistan or their link with India has been reduced? Because this is the main cause of terrorism in Pakistan that India uses Afghan Taliban for terrorism and the former Afghan Intelligence Chief has accepted the relation of Taliban with India. Has it been reduced because that would be a big sign.

Spokesperson: Sir, Indian involvement in sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan is very clear, and the international community is now becoming more aware of it. Initially, the Indian state sponsored terrorism was targeting Pakistan, but we have seen that in the recent past, it has gone global. If this Indian malign approach is not checked, we have seen the consequences of that. India has tried to orchestrate a global assassination campaign, trying to kill people in Canada, the US and other countries. In terms of its sponsoring terrorism inside Pakistan, we maintain interaction with important friends and partners in the international community. We keep sharing our perspective, our evidence, which we obtain, and keep highlighting what India is doing in the region to destabilize it.

About the question of sanctuaries in Afghanistan, as I mentioned it remains a challenge, and we are trying to address it in the context of bilateral relations with Afghanistan. This remains a critical impediment in preventing the relations to reach their full potential, and further impeding the full development of regional cooperation particularly when other regions are moving towards greater regional integration involving businesses, investment, road and rail network. But the issue of sanctuaries remains a sour point. We continue to pursue this topic with Afghanistan, and we hope the Afghan authorities will take more serious action on this.

(Mateen Haider, G News): Mr. Spokesman, two questions, first, DPM/FM is traveling to the United States, mainly to attend the high level segment of the United Nations Security Council. Please share dates and also which friendly countries of Pakistan will be attending the high-level segment.

Second, again, on Afghanistan, there are some declassified US documents, including some of the CIA papers in which it was disclosed the United States admitting that it spent billions of dollars in Afghanistan to defeat the Soviet Union. The cables and documents also mentioned facilitation by Pakistan. What are your comments? Had Pakistan played this role on behest of Americans against Soviets in Afghanistan? Any amount came to Pakistan side as well?

Spokesperson: Sir, what is in the past is in the past and we look at the past to guide us to a better future, rather than to become its prisoners. Secondly, about the 80s, our ministers have explained what the circumstances were, the decisions taken, and the certain policies pursued. However, in the post 80s period when we were left to stoically carry the burden of history. Not just Pakistan but the entire region continues to face the consequences of that period. What happened back then has now become the problem of terrorism which has mutated in all those years.

With regards to the first question, I will check and get back.

(Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Sir, I have a question related to climate change. In the past, many international conferences were held on global warming. Pakistan was on 8th or 9th position list of countries affected by climate change but now it has jumped to 1st position. The promises that were made to poor countries, again the monsoon season is on arrival, again Pakistan is facing the same situation. Is there any update on implementation of promises that were made in 2022?

Secondly, when President Trump took charge as President, he stopped aid to some countries. So what is the status of aid for Pakistan?

Spokesperson: About the climate change, I can lay out the basic facts for you. First of all, we are one of the worst affected countries by the climate change, but in terms of our contribution to the climate change, we are very low on the index. So, we are disproportionately affected by climate change. We are a very climate vulnerable country. This is the fundamental point which guides our policy in multilateral diplomacy on climate change. We have been in the lead about the questions related to compensation, climate mitigation, helping the developing countries deal with it, we have been in the lead. We have been the leader of the G 77 in the recent negotiations, we led the process, and we will continue to remain active on that.

About the second question that is a topic we remain in discussion with the US. So if there is any change, we will let you know.

(Zeeshan Syed, Neo TV): Sir, American President Donald Trump threatened China that it will bomb Beijing if the latter invaded Taiwan. If such a scenario occurs, where Pakistan will stand?

Spokesperson: This is a very speculative question. I cannot comment on speculation. I can reiterate the fundamentals of our policy: China is a close friend, and is our iron brother. We enjoy strategic cooperation, and strategic relations with China. Pakistan-China relations is in the heart of our people, the people of two countries. Similarly, in terms of our foreign policy, we pursue good relations with all countries, and including great powers. We historically have very strong relations with the US. And we are we are keen to continue these relations.

(Anas Mallick, Capital TV): I have three questions. Number one, with regards to since you mentioned the ASEAN meetings that the Foreign Minister is holding, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio is also there. Is there a planned interaction between the two that might happen on the sidelines of the ASEAN because given the recent India-Pakistan hostilities and the contacts that have been done, if you would like to confirm or deny?

Number two, the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting is scheduled to get underway from tomorrow, the 12th in Tianjin. Will the Foreign Minister be traveling for that? And if so, what is the schedule like with regards to the sideline interactions because the Indian Foreign Minister is also expected to be there. Are we expecting a bilateral or a pull aside, or a handshake or something like that?

Lastly, the award of the court of arbitration, we saw the verdict coming in. What would be Pakistan's next move to have that implemented in a favorable manner in light of the verdict of the award of the court of arbitration?

Spokesperson: About meeting with Mr. Marco Rubio, there are lot of meetings under discussion, as delegations try to work through the schedules of their principles. Our Foreign Minister already had a very packed program the first day. So far, I do not have concrete information on that.

Similarly, of course, we will be participating in the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting. It is an organization to which we are committed. It is a very important organization. We participate in all activities of SCO and the minister will be there. But we do not have any meeting planned with the Indian side.

And about the arbitration decision, what it amounts to is, again legitimizing our position. An important international legal forum has clearly ruled, basically upheld our position on Indus Water Treaty. We have articulated our overall position on this important issue on several occasions. This is about the survival of 250 million people. This is not a trifling matter. And our red lines are very clear. We will not allow our water to be diverted. This is what I can say at this point in time. Finally International Court of Arbitration decision, delegitimizes India's position.

(Almas Naqvi, Daily Dunya Newspaper): I have two questions. First, there are reports that, which is a significant development, China has presented a proposal for financial settlement at the recent BRICS summit. So how you see this de-dollarization drive?

And the second question, as you mentioned that Pakistan and Russia have signed a protocol to revive Pakistan Steel Mills. So would you like to share a bit more detail about the implementation when it starts and when it completes?

Spokesperson: About the BRICS proposal, I am not aware of it. We are not a member of BRICS, so I do not have the full information. I can try to check, but what I can tell you is that we value and look at BRICs as a very important organization with great interest, and we remain interested in becoming its member.

Secondly, about the specifics of the steel mills with Russian cooperation, I would request you to check with Ministry of industries. But I can give you the broad framework: developing, and deepening economic relations is an important component of Pakistan-Russia relations, within which steel mill obviously has great historical resonance. It was a gift from Soviet Union to Pakistan. And recently it has not been functional. So we are trying to revive it. If we want it to come to life again as a symbol of Pakistan-Russia friendship. So, at the political level, the Prime Minister's directives are there. We want to engage and revive the Pakistan steel mills. Different models are being discussed. For details of technical discussions, I would refer you to Ministry of Industry.

(Islam Uddin, Anadolu Agency): Sir, I have two questions. Last month, Finance Minister stated that in the next week i.e. within week, we will confirm trade agreement with the US. Why no breakthrough has been made on this matter, are there obstacles on the way?

Secondly, I have question related to Afghanistan, in the recent meeting, did the Afghan side assure Pakistan that they will take action against TTP in Afghanistan?

Spokesperson: About trade, we had a senior delegation which visited Washington. We are in touch with the US. Discussions are going on, and we are hopeful that we could come up with a good agreement which serves the interests of both countries. But I do not have any specific information to share with you. The technical discussions are ongoing, and for details, you can check with Ministry of Commerce.

About what is said in the discussions, with Afghanistan, this is a point we continue to emphasize with Afghan side, and we highlight with proofs what is happening, the cost Pakistan is paying, the cost bilateral relationship is paying, and the cost efforts for regional development and regional integration are paying. This is something we flagged and we are hopeful that Afghan side will realize the gravity of the threat, the seriousness of the challenge, and they will work with Pakistan to overcome this challenge.

Thank you.