Good Afternoon and welcome to our Weekly Press Briefing.
Some important updates to start with
As you are aware the Prime Minister will be undertaking a visit to China to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics next week. During the visit, the Prime Minister will have meetings with the Chinese leadership. The visit will reinforce the All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between our two countries, and further advance the objective of building a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era.
Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood visited Jeddah from 22-25 January, where Pakistan assumed the Chair of OIC’s Senior Officials Meeting in run up to the 48th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers to be held in Islamabad from 22-23 March. The Foreign Secretary steered discussions in the SOM on the range of issues under consideration. The Foreign Secretary also underscored the special importance of the 48th Session of CFM, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence.
Separately, the Foreign Secretary also called on OIC Secretary General, H.E Hissein Brahim Taha, and exchanged views on Pakistan-OIC cooperation, IIOJK, situation in Afghanistan, Islamophobia and preparations for the 48th ICFM Session to be held in Islamabad.
Let me also state Pakistan’s strong condemnation of further attacks by the Houthis targeted against Saudi Arabia and the UAE. We call for immediate cessation of such attacks. Our position on this issue is well-known.
Foreign Minister’s Engagements
Let us take a look at some of the recent high-level engagements.
Foreign Minister Qureshi received the Minister of Trade of Sri Lanka, Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana and State Minister for Regional Cooperation Mr. Tharaka Balasuriya at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 24 January. The Sri Lankan delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister on 25 January. Accompanied by a group of Sri Lankan businessmen, the delegation had a number of interactions in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore with a view to strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries.
Over the last few days, the Foreign Minister has undertaken a series of phone calls to his counterparts across the world as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach at the start of the New Year, including:
1. Foreign Minister of Guinea HE Dr. Morissanda Kouyate
2. Foreign Minister of Benin HE Mr. Aurélien Agbénonci
3. Foreign Minister of Jordan HE Mr. Ayman Al Safadi
4. Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan HE Mr Mukhtar Tileuberdi and
5. Foreign Minister of Azerbaiijan HE Mr Jeyhun Bayramov
6. Foreign Minister of Cote d’Ivoire Her Excellency Kandia Kamissoko Camara
You would have seen our Press Releases detailing these conversations.
On 26th January, Foreign Minister Qureshi launched the “SDG Investment Report 2021: Leveraging Private Investments for Pakistan’s Sustainable Development” at a high-profile event held at the Foreign Office. The Report has been prepared under the lead of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with UNDP and the Board of Investment. It showcases Pakistan’s business portfolio and potential for attracting private sector investments aligned with the UN Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In his key-note address, the Foreign Minister outlined his vision of Economic Diplomacy which is geared towards advancement of Pakistan’s Economic Security agenda. Noting the upward trajectory of Pakistan’s macro-economic indicators amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, he underscored the imperative of exploring innovative financing solutions, and involvement of both public and private sectors to increase investments in Pakistan’s development sector for attainment of the SDGs. He particularly highlighted the need to focus on health, agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure to ensure that development is sustainable.
Bilateral Political Consultation
Yesterday, Pakistan and Singapore held Bilateral Political Consultations in which both sides resolved to further strengthen cooperation in economic, political, defense and security, education, science and technology, technical training, environment, culture, tourism and other areas.
Public Diplomacy
On the cultural and public diplomacy front, Pakistan and Iraq signed an MOU in the Field of Tourism in Baghdad. The Agreement will promote two-way tourism and reinforce people-to-people linkages between the two countries.
Yesterday, in continuation of celebrations to commemorate 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Spain, and in line with Vision Foreign Office of the Foreign Minister, a photo exhibition titled ‘Colors of Spain and Pakistan’ was inaugurated at Lok Virsa. The Exhibition will remain open to public till 30th January.
Let me now turn it situation in IIOJK.
Kashmiris in IIOJK and around the world marked 26 January as a Black Day deploring the 7 decades of Indian illegal occupation and state-sponsored terrorism unleashing a reign of unprecedented violence and oppression against the Kashmiris while denying them their right to self-determination.
It is a matter of grave concern that India continues to commit widespread and gross human rights violations in IIOJK with impunity. These gruesome acts are well-documented by the UN and international human rights organizations. On various occasions, Pakistan has also presented to the UN and the international community evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces in IIOJK.
Pakistan also continues to draw attention to India’s irresponsible state behavior and track record of willful non-compliance with international rule of law. For over seventy years, India has violated the UN Charter and fundamental principles, norms and rules of international law. On Jammu and Kashmir for example, by refusing to implement the UNSC resolutions, India remains in consistent breach of its obligations under Article 25 of the UN Charter that stipulates that “The Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council”.
The world is increasingly aware of the grave situation in IIOJK. Let India be warned that its reign of terror and illegal actions cannot continue unchecked. The government and people of Pakistan reaffirm our strong resolve to continue to raise our voice and extend all possible support for our Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just struggle.
We strongly urge the members of the international community to hold India to account for its atrocities in IIOJK, and to play their due role in enabling the Kashmiris to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination as pledged to them under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Peace and development in South Asia must no longer be held hostage to India’s irresponsible and reckless approach.
I thank you and am ready to take questions on these or other foreign policy matters.
