Thursday, 6th March 2025 (Kamran Raja): The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, received a call from the US National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz on 4th March 2025. The NSA conveyed President Trump’s appreciation and thanks for the Government of Pakistan’s efforts in countering terrorism. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister congratulated the NSA on his assumption of office and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue its cooperation with the US in the field of counter-terrorism. He also appreciated President Trump’s announcement to withdraw the US military equipment left behind in Afghanistan.
DPM/FM also received a telephone call from UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan who conveyed Ramadan greetings to the DPM, leadership and citizens of Pakistan. The two leaders also discussed the results of the recent visit by H.H. the Crown Prince of the UAE to Pakistan. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen. Both leaders discussed enhancing cooperation in trade and investment through the promotion of public-private partnerships. Additionally, they reaffirmed their commitment to enhance their collaboration on multilateral platforms.
DPM/FM had a phone call with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov. DPM/FM expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality received during the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan to Pakistan. The two leaders agreed to work closely to accelerate the implementation of the discussions made regarding trade and investment during the visit.
The sixth round of Pakistan Italy Bilateral Political Consultations was convened on 28th February in Rome. Pakistan side was led by Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Amna Baloch and the Italian delegation was led by Secretary General Ricardo Guariglia. The two sides while expressing satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations reaffirmed their commitment to further expand cooperation in the areas of economy, development, agriculture, defence, higher education and people-to-people contacts. Both sides exchanged views on a number of international and regional issues as well as reiterated to have close coordination in the UN. Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms Israel’s decision to block critical humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, during the Holy month of Ramadan. This latest action is part of Israel’s systematic campaign to deny much needed humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians in dire need. This constitutes yet another blatant violation of international law by the occupying power and could imperil the ceasefire agreement.
We call on the international community to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, and to hold Israel accountable for imposition of collective punishment through denial of humanitarian aid to millions of civilians.
KASHMIR
We reject the remarks made by the Indian External Affairs Minister on Jammu and Kashmir during an event at the Chatham House, London, held on 5 March 2025. The remarks misrepresent the ground realities and contravene the international law. Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally-recognized disputed territory. The relevant UN Security Council resolutions clearly stipulate that the final status of the Jammu and Kashmir is to be determined through a free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices. India’s prevarication cannot change this reality. We also wish to underscore that any electoral exercise, pursuant to Indian Constitution, cannot serve as a substitute to grant of right to self-determination. Similarly, the decades-old grievances of the Kashmiri people cannot be meaningfully addressed through economic activity down the barrel of a gun. Instead of making baseless claims about Azad Jammu and Kashmir, India should vacate the large territories of Jammu and Kashmir, under its occupation for last 77 years. It must realize that a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people, is imperative for a lasting peace in South Asia.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar travels to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to take part in the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM), which is set to take place today, in Jeddah. This high-level meeting will discuss joint actions in response to the deteriorating conditions in Palestine due to ongoing Israeli aggression, violations of Palestinian rights, and calls for their displacement. At the upcoming OIC-CFM session, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister will reaffirm Pakistan’s steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and emphasize its principled position. He will advocate for the full withdrawal of Israel from all occupied territories, including Jerusalem, denounce the unacceptable proposal for further displacing Palestinians, and call for restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, such as their right to return to their homeland and the establishment of a viable, contiguous, and sovereign Palestinian state based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.