The Foreign Office said that Pakistan wants to establish relations with all its neighbours, including India, on the basis of equality, respect and dignity.
Commenting on the likely foreign policy, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said during her weekly media briefing that Pakistan would welcome the mediation of any friendly country to resolve the India-Pakistan dispute or the Kashmir issue.
She confirmed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had conveyed his congratulations to his Pakistani counterpart Shehbaz Sharif on his assumption of office through a message on social media and reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to engage in dialogue and resolve disputes through diplomatic means.
Baloch also noted that since the federal cabinet was yet to be formed, any decision on the country’s foreign policy would be taken after the swearing-in of the team of ministers. “Relations with the neighbors will be determined by the new cabinet or foreign minister,” she added.
The Foreign Office spokesperson also noted that Indian Prime Minister Modi was scheduled to visit Indian Kashmir today. Highlighting Pakistan’s stand on the Kashmir issue, she emphasized that tourism in the region cannot flourish until Kashmiris are granted the right to self-determination. In addition, she also reiterated concerns regarding the continued oppression of innocent Kashmiris by Indian forces.
Addressing another pressing issue, the State Department spokesman provided information on the case of arrested Afghan nationals who were allegedly planning an attack on the Adiala prison in Rawalpindi. Baloch said the Foreign Ministry has not yet received any information regarding the incident.
However, she assured that once the details are shared, Pakistan will engage with the Afghan government to deal with the matter properly.
