(Web Desk) — The Foreign Office (FO) on Friday clarified that there are no ongoing discussions between Pakistan and India regarding the resumption of bilateral trade.
FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during the weekly press briefing, pointed to India’s illegal and unilateral actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in 2019 as the reason behind the continued suspension of trade between the two countries.
Baloch reminded the media that several retaliatory measures, including the suspension of trade, were implemented after the Indian government, on August 5, 2019, unlawfully annexed IIOJK by revoking Article 370 of its constitution. “This situation remains unchanged,” she stated firmly.
The spokesperson emphasized that the observance of the day aims to highlight Indian atrocities and express solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir. She condemned the recent killing of four Kashmiri youths by Indian forces in Doda district, labeling it as yet another instance of India’s illegal and oppressive actions against Kashmiris.
Baloch called on the international community to take swift and decisive action to hold India accountable for its severe human rights violations in IIOJK and to take steps to protect the rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people.
Addressing recent border tensions with Afghanistan, the FO spokesperson urged the interim Afghan government to exercise restraint and refrain from unprovoked actions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. This call came in response to questions about increasing incidents of cross-border firing, including a recent clash near the Torkham border crossing.
Earlier this week, Pakistani and Afghan security forces exchanged heavy fire after Pakistani forces objected to the construction of a controversial checkpost near the border by Afghan forces, leading to the temporary closure of the border. Baloch described the August 12 incident, where Afghan forces opened indiscriminate fire at Torkham, as unfortunate, stressing that Pakistani forces responded appropriately in self-defense.
She urged Afghan authorities to understand that Pakistan will always defend its territory while also expressing Pakistan’s willingness to resolve misunderstandings through established diplomatic channels. Baloch highlighted that the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is multifaceted and should not be viewed narrowly, noting Pakistan’s concerns about terrorist hideouts within Afghanistan.
Additionally, the spokesperson dismissed allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in the ouster of Sheikh Hasina Wajid in Bangladesh, asserting that there is no truth to such claims and affirming Pakistan’s belief in Bangladesh’s capacity to determine its own future.
Baloch also condemned the recent storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by extremist settlers, led by officials of the Israeli occupation authorities, calling it a violation of the Geneva Convention and a blatant disregard of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. She urged the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to take immediate action to protect the sanctity of holy sites in Jerusalem and ensure the freedom of worship for Palestinians.
