Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that the participants of the international seminar held in Islamabad regarding the Indus Waters Treaty have rejected any unilateral action regarding the treaty.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has made it clear in his address that the Indus Waters Treaty, which has been in force for six decades, cannot be unilaterally terminated or rejected.
During the weekly press briefing, he said that the main issue between Pakistan and India is not terrorism but the mentality of the Indian leadership that tries to use water as a weapon. He said that Pakistan always believes in respecting international laws and treaties.
The spokesman said that as a result of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, the release of 22 Iranian sailors was possible, while the total number of Iranian citizens who have returned to their homeland through Pakistan’s mediation has reached 70.
He said that Operation “Ghadab Lil Haq” against terrorists is in full swing, and Pakistan will not compromise on the security of its citizens. He said that on June 29, the Afghan Charge d’Affaires was demarched, while a formal protest was registered with the Afghan authorities, even after an Afghan citizen involved in a terrorist act was captured alive.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that Pakistan will now also launch “olive diplomacy”. Due to its remarkable success and improved performance in olive cultivation, Pakistan has gained membership of the International Olive Council, which is a recognition of the country’s progress in this sector.
The spokesperson further said that Pakistan has handed over to India a list of its 750 citizens imprisoned in Indian jails, and the government is continuing its diplomatic efforts to ensure the release and dignified return of all these Pakistani citizens.
In response to a question regarding the letter written to the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India, the Foreign Office spokesperson said that the government will not comment on the matter. He said that the individuals who wrote the letter have done this in their personal capacity.
In addition, the Foreign Office has confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will pay an official visit to Iran and Turkey from July 3 to 5, where he will attend the funeral prayers of martyr Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran and will also hold important meetings with the leadership of both countries.
According to the spokesperson, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will express solidarity with the government and people of Iran on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan during his visit to Iran. He said that the Prime Minister will also attend the funeral prayers of the former Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
He further said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also go to Istanbul at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, where bilateral relations, regional situation, and promotion of cooperation will be discussed.
During the press briefing, the spokesperson also discussed the ongoing diplomatic contacts between the US and Iran and said that Pakistan has further intensified its diplomatic efforts regarding the US-Iran agreement in light of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
He said that significant progress has been made in the talks held in Doha, and both sides have agreed to continue the talks. According to the spokesperson, the two sides have also agreed to move forward with the next phase of the talks after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Foreign Office spokesperson expressed the hope that the ongoing diplomatic efforts will pave the way for the end of tension in the region and the peaceful resolution of issues.
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