Islamabad says participation in ‘good faith’; Trump meeting possible on the sidelines
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s foreign ministry confirmed Thursday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar attended the Gaza Peace Council meeting, saying they are participating in good faith.
Previously told sources Express Pakinomist that Sharif is set to travel to Washington next week to attend the inaugural Board of Peace summit as Pakistan stepped up diplomatic outreach on Wednesday, with Dar holding separate phone calls with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts amid developments in regional developments.
The sources said there is also a possibility of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Trump at the White House on the sidelines of the summit.
Pakistan’s participation reflects what officials describe as a cautious but proactive diplomatic stance as the country navigates shifting geopolitical realignments. They say Islamabad intends to use the platform to reiterate its stance on key international issues, including support for Palestinian self-determination, an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a sustainable political solution based on international law.
Besides the Gaza peace plan, the prime minister is likely to discuss Iran-US tensions with President Trump, as Pakistan is among the regional countries engaged with relevant actors to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi spoke at the Foreign Office briefing today about Israel’s presence at the forum: “The decision of the Israeli prime minister to participate in the Gaza Peace Council is their own. We do not comment on their decision.”
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“We have never announced a visit of the Prime Minister to Munich, Germany. It is regrettable to politicize cricket or use it as a tool. Our decision not to play India was to ensure that the game does not become a weapon. India intended to use cricket as a weapon against Bangladesh,” he said.
Andrabi confirmed that the President of Uzbekistan visited Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to raise bilateral trade to two billion dollars,” he said, adding that the preferential trade agreement between the two countries has been further expanded.
He also noted that the President of Kazakhstan recently visited Pakistan and met both the Prime Minister and the President. “Security and defense issues were discussed and both countries agreed to conduct joint military exercises,” he said, adding that the two sides agreed to increase bilateral trade to one billion dollars.
Andrabi said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Azerbaijan’s economic minister and held two discussions with Iran’s foreign minister.
On defense matters, the spokesman said former Army General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa suffered an injury after a fall at his residence. “He is currently undergoing treatment at CMH,” Andrabi said.
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On legal and regional security issues, Andrabi confirmed that Pakistan’s legal team attended hearings at the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague. “India was invited to participate under the Indus Waters Treaty and its participation is mandatory,” he said, adding that Pakistan confirmed that both parties must abide by the treaty.
Commenting on India, he said it was regrettable that the mobs’ killing of Muslims had been ignored. He said that last year 55 Muslims lost their lives and local authorities often turned a blind eye. Andrabi called on the Indian government to conduct independent investigations and bring those responsible to justice.
He also cited reports of the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee and said that the de facto Afghan administration is supporting TTP operations against Pakistan. “The report confirmed the free movement of TTP in Afghanistan and their actions against Pakistan,” he said, also pointing to collaboration between groups including Qatna al-Hindustan, Qatna al-Khawarij and BLA.
Andrabi added: “We have previously appreciated the role of the US in the 90-hour war with India. We shot down Indian fighter jets, confirmed by the manufacturers. Any future aggression by India will be met with a strong response.”
He said the ISIS mastermind is present in Afghanistan helping operations against Pakistan and that Pakistan has also taken note of India’s foreign ministry statement on the Islamabad blast, which he said emphasized reasoning over facts.
Clarifying territorial issues, Andrabi said, “Internationally recognized maps of Pakistan and India are available on the United Nations website.”
On financial matters, he said: “The UAE raised the issue of rolling over the loan. We can assure that through the positive efforts of Ishaq Dar, the UAE agreed to roll over the loan.”
The spokesman added that Defense Minister Khawaja Asif’s statement is detailed and that diplomacy continues even in the midst of skirmishes and war. “We do not want Afghan territory to be used against Pakistan.”
On Iran’s recognition of Afghanistan, Andrabi said: “We are not aware of Iran’s decision to recognize Afghanistan. However, it is every country’s prerogative whether to recognize another country or not.”
