Pakistan asked the world to talk about the Ukraine situation on Friday, two days before Prime Minister Imran Khan made a historic trip to Russia.
At a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said, “We will continue to monitor things carefully” (in Ukraine. I believe that engagement and discourse are the best courses of action.
The spokesman didn’t say when Prime Minister Imran Khan will go to Moscow, but he said that the Russian Federation asked him to go next week.
“Preparations are ongoing, and we will provide further information in a more official manner later today.” “Pakistan places a premium on its multifaceted and robust partnership with Russia,” he said.
In response to a question about the Pakistani community in Ukraine, he said that the foreign office maintains good ties with the community, particularly the students.
“They are taking care of their health and giving them the right advice and help in light of the situation,” he said.
‘Pakistan urges India to abstain from using terrorism as a tool of state policy.‘
The Indian Charge d’Affaires was called to the Foreign Office on Friday to voice Pakistan’s strong objection that, after 15 years, India has failed to bring the terrorists responsible for the 18/2 Samjhauta Terror Attack to justice.
During a meeting, we expressed our concern that the Hindutva fanaticism and “Saffron terror” that led to the barbaric attack 15 years ago had gotten much stronger under the current Indian government, he added.
He emphasised, that Pakistan thinks it is not a matter of a lack of information or proof; rather, it is a matter of the Indian government’s lack of commitment to due process of law and political will.
The spokesperson stated that “this is clear from the manner in which the trial was conducted, and you are well aware of the shameful manner in which they acquitted the defendants, including Swami Aseemanand, who openly admitted to being the attack’s mastermind.”
The Indian envoy was instructed to underscore to his government the need to end state sponsorship of terrorism and prosecute those responsible for the Samjhauta Express bombings.
“Pakistan also urges India to abstain from using terrorism as a tool of state policy and to adhere to its commitments under the international legal structure controlling terrorism,” he said.
It is worth noting that February 18 marks the 15th anniversary of the Delhi-Lahore Samjhauta Express train explosions, which claimed the lives of 68 people, including 44 Pakistanis.
“Our hearts continue to lament their tragic deaths. “It is exceedingly terrible that, despite the existence of irrefutable proof, the relatives of the Samjhauta Express terrorist assault victims have to await justice,” the spokesman said.
India’s inability to bring justice to the victims of this heinous terror act shows that terrorist attackers in India have a lot of power.
“The relatives of the victims yearn for the day when the terrorists who carried out the cold-blooded act will be captured and brought to justice under the full power of the law.” However, the reality of contemporary India is rife with injustice, inequity, and openly prevalent state-sponsored terrorism, “he said.
Act prohibiting Muslim female students from wearing hijab was condemned.
The FO said it was very worried about what it called the “reprehensible” act of not letting Muslim female students in the Indian state of Karnataka wear hijab (a headscarf).
“In this context, on February 9, the Indian Charge d’Affaires was given a demarche and urged to convey to the Indian government Pakistan’s grave concern about the anti-hijab campaign spearheaded by the RSS-BJP coalition in Karnataka, which is part of a larger exclusionist and majoritarian agenda aimed at dehumanising and demonising Muslim women, “he recalled.
‘Terrorism is a global phenomenon.”
In response to queries about cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan, India, and Iran, the spokesperson said that Pakistan has stated several times that “terrorism is a worldwide problem.”
“It is a global issue that many nations are grappling with,” one of them being Pakistan, “he said.
Pakistan has been a major victim of terrorism over the years.
“We have borne the burden of terrorism, and as you have seen in the past, we are determined to combat this threat with great bravery, sacrifice, and success.
“I can promise you that the Pakistani government is taking all necessary precautions to prevent terrorism, including that from across the border, and those who are engaged, such as India,” he said.
According to the spokesman, there is a history of terrorists receiving help from overseas, and “we are well aware that we will make all necessary efforts to put an end to this cross-border terrorism.”
He added that the foreign office is also in contact with the Afghan interim government’s authorities.
The visit of an Iranian minister
In response to questions about Iran’s role in recent Balochistan terrorist acts and the arrests of 13 people with Iranian ties in Karachi, and whether this was discussed with the visiting Iranian interior minister, the spokesperson responded affirmatively.
“The Iranian interior minister had a lot of important talks and meetings with high-ranking people when he came to Pakistan. I think it was part of Pakistan’s very positive and successful relationship with Iran.”
“We will keep in touch with Iran, even if we have to go through the proper channels,” said an official. “Iran is a close friend and partner of Pakistan.”
He was quick to point out, however, that Pakistan has been a major victim of terrorism over the past few decades.
