Latest news with #AmnaBaloch
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pak-India dialogue at neutral venue: Friendly states making intensive efforts
ISLAMABAD: Informed diplomatic sources revealed on Thursday that friendly countries are making intensive efforts to facilitate a Pakistan-India dialogue at a neutral venue, following recent tensions between the two South Asian rivals. The initiative comes after a US-brokered ceasefire agreement led to a cessation of hostilities, paving the way for renewed discussions on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs). However, a senior Foreign Office (FO) official familiar with the developments cautioned, 'we can't rule it out, but immediately, there are no talks in sight.' Historically, formal talks or CBMs between the two nations gain momentum after a period of de-escalation which was the basis for the official to rule out holding of immediate composite talks between the two adversaries as the situation is still volatile and perilous despite visible de-escalation. True that the High Commissions are operating in both capitals, yet relations between the two neighbours have soured following the expulsion of diplomats from each other's country and declaring them persona non grata. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary, Amna Baloch briefed the Islamabad-based diplomatic missions on recent developments in Pakistan-India relations, said the FO in a statement on Thursday. The Foreign Secretary apprised the diplomatic corps of the implementation and progress of the ceasefire announced on 10 May 2025. She underscored that, as a goodwill gesture, Pakistan and India exchanged the personnel of Pakistan Rangers and the Indian Border Security Force in each others' custody, Wednesday. She thanked the friendly countries for their constructive role in achieving the ceasefire. In the context of India's baseless assertions on establishing a 'new normal', the Foreign Secretary stressed that the only 'normal' in bilateral relations is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. She emphasized Pakistan's preference for peaceful co-existence, dialogue and diplomacy over conflict and strife, the statement reads further. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
FO cautions against India's escalatory actions
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch has cautioned against India's escalatory actions and reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to respond firmly to any aggressive moves. As part of ongoing diplomatic engagement, the Foreign Secretary briefed Heads of Missions and diplomats based in Islamabad on the latest developments following the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Foreign Office said in a statement on Friday. This was the foreign secretary's second consecutive briefing to foreign diplomats in as many days. She outlined the key takeaways from the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting, categorically rejecting India's baseless allegations linking Pakistan to the attack. The foreign secretary warned that India's attempts to weaponise terrorism for political gains threaten regional peace and security. On Thursday, the foreign secretary briefed a group of Islamabad-based Heads of Missions and diplomats on the evolving situation following Pahalgam attack in IIOJK and shared the outcomes of NSC's key decisions. She rejected Indian misinformation campaign against Pakistan and said that such tactics would obstruct the path to peace and stability in the region. The foreign secretary underscored that Pakistan has always rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. She also warned against Indian attempts to escalate tensions and reaffirmed Pakistan's readiness to counter any misadventure. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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First Post
25-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Pakistan briefs foreign envoys for second day amid escalating tensions with India
For the second consecutive day on Friday, Pakistan briefed Islamabad-based foreign diplomats on the rising tension with India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. read more Pakistan on Friday continued its diplomatic outreach to address growing friction with India, convening a second day of briefings for foreign envoys in Islamabad following the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. According to a statement from the Foreign Office, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch met with ambassadors and diplomatic representatives stationed in the capital to update them on Islamabad's position regarding the attack and its aftermath. Baloch conveyed the conclusions from Pakistan's National Security Committee meeting, firmly rejecting India's allegations that Pakistan had any involvement in the incident. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The attack on Tuesday saw gunmen open fire in the Pahalgam region, killing 26 people—mostly tourists—in what has become the most lethal assault in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The Resistance Front (TRF), widely believed to be a front for the banned Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the massacre. Baloch also cautioned against India's escalatory actions and reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to respond firmly to any aggressive moves. In New Delhi, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday decided, among other things, to close the Integrated Check Post at Attari with immediate effect. Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and any such visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled, it was announced. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27 and added that the medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29. Mirroring India's steps, Islamabad on Thursday closed the Wagah border post, cancelled visas given to Indians under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and asked military advisers at the Indian High Commission to leave. 'All cross-border transit from India through this route shall be suspended, without exception. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than April 30,' Pakistan said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier on Thursday, Baloch briefed a group of Islamabad-based Heads of Mission and diplomats on the evolving situation following the Pahalgam attack. She condemned what she described as an 'Indian misinformation campaign against Pakistan', stating that such tactics would obstruct the path to peace and stability in the region. The Foreign Secretary underscored that Pakistan has always rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan govt briefs foreign diplomats for 2nd consecutive day on tensions with India
Islamabad: For the second consecutive day on Friday, Pakistan briefed Islamabad-based foreign diplomats on the rising tension with India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack . "As part of ongoing diplomatic engagement, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch briefed Heads of Mission and diplomats based in Islamabad on the latest developments following the Pahalgam attack" in Jammu & Kashmir, the Foreign Office said in a statement. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India pulled the plug on IWT when Pakistanis are fighting over water What makes this India-Pakistan standoff more dangerous than past ones The problem of Pakistan couldn't have come at a worse time for D-St Baloch shared the key takeaways from the National Security Committee meeting , "categorically rejecting India's allegations linking Pakistan to the attack", it said. Terrorists opened fire in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday, killing 26 people, mostly tourists, in the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo Baloch also cautioned against India's escalatory actions and reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to respond firmly to any aggressive moves. In New Delhi, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday decided, among other things, to close the Integrated Check Post at Attari with immediate effect. Live Events Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and any such visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled, it was announced. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27 and added that the medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29. Mirroring India's steps, Islamabad on Thursday closed the Wagah border post, cancelled visas given to Indians under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) and asked military advisers at the Indian High Commission to leave. "All cross-border transit from India through this route shall be suspended, without exception. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than April 30," Pakistan said. Earlier on Thursday, Baloch briefed a group of Islamabad-based Heads of Mission and diplomats on the evolving situation following the Pahalgam attack. She condemned what she described as an " Indian misinformation campaign against Pakistan", stating that such tactics would obstruct the path to peace and stability in the region. The Foreign Secretary underscored that Pakistan has always rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Post-Pahalgam situation: Heads of Mission and diplomats briefed
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch briefed a group of Islamabad-based Heads of Mission and diplomats on the evolving situation following Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson said on Thursday that the foreign secretary shared the outcomes of the National Security Committee meeting. She rejected Indian misinformation campaign against Pakistan and said that such tactics would obstruct the path to peace and stability in the region. The foreign secretary underscored that Pakistan has always rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. She also cautioned against Indian attempts to escalate tensions and reaffirmed Pakistan's readiness to counter any misadventure. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
