Latest news with #FO
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pahalgam attackers: Indian statement replete with fabrications: FO
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan categorically assailed and rejected the baseless assertions and provocative claims made by Indian leaders during the Lok Sabha (Lower House) debate on the so-called 'Operation Sindoor'. These statements reflect a dangerous tendency to distort facts, justify aggression, and glorify conflict for domestic consumption. The account given by the Indian home minister is replete with fabrications, leading to serious questions about its credibility. Is it a mere coincidence that the alleged three perpetrators of the Pahalgam incident were killed at the start of the Lok Sabha debate? Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan stated this on Wednesday, while responding to media queries regarding the debate in the Indian parliament on the so-called 'Operation Sindoor'. 'The world knows that India attacked Pakistan without any verifiable evidence or a credible investigation into the Pahalgam incident,' he said. 'During the intervening night of 6 and 7 May 2025, India's targeting of the alleged terrorist infrastructure resulted actually in the martyrdom of innocent men, women and children. India failed to achieve any of its strategic objectives. On the other hand, Pakistan's resounding success in neutralising the Indian fighter jets and military targets is an indisputable fact,' the spokesperson remarked. Instead of misleading their compatriots, Ambassador Shafqat asserted that the Indian leaders would be well-advised to acknowledge the losses incurred by their armed forces and accept the active role played by the third parties in realising the ceasefire. 'India did not avail itself of the immediate offer made by the prime minister of Pakistan for a transparent and independent probe into the Pahalgam Attack. Instead, it chose the path of belligerence and aggression,' the FO spokesperson emphasised. It acted as the judge, jury, and executioner at the same time. Against this backdrop, any claims regarding the so-called 'Operation Mahadev' do not hold any significance for us. The spokesperson said, 'We also reiterate our unequivocal rejection of the ceaseless Indian statements on establishing a 'new normal' in bilateral relations. As we have already shown through our resolute actions in May 2025, we shall forcefully counter any future aggression.' For us, Shafqat Ali Khan added, the only 'normal' in bilateral relations is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and adherence to the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. The Indian narrative of an alleged 'nuclear blackmail' by Pakistan is a misleading and self-serving construct, and an attempt to veil its own escalatory impulses while shifting blame onto Pakistan. It is well known that Pakistan deterred India through its conventional capabilities, affirming that discipline and restraint remain its guiding principles. The spokesperson responded, 'We also wish to register our disapproval of the Indian leaders' misplaced assertions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. India's decision to hold the treaty in abeyance shows its blatant disregard for the sanctity of international treaties, and strikes at a fundamental pillar of regional cooperation. Instead of taking pride in a unilateral and illegal move, India must immediately fulfil its treaty obligations.' India's continued reliance on disinformation, jingoism, and chest-thumping risks destabilising South Asia. However, as a responsible country, Pakistan remains committed to peace, regional stability, and a meaningful dialogue for resolution of all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, he further said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
New Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pak says it's committed to meaningful dialogue; criticises comments by Indian leaders
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday criticised the statements made by the Indian leaders during the Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor and said it was committed to a meaningful dialogue with India for the resolution of all outstanding issues. In a statement, the Foreign Office (FO) said India attacked Pakistan "without any verifiable evidence or a credible investigation" into the Pahalgam terror attack. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10. "As a responsible country, Pakistan remains committed to peace, regional stability, and a meaningful dialogue for resolution of all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir," the FO said.
Local France
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Local France
French union issues three-month strike notice as pressure steps up over budget cuts
The French union Force Ouvrière (FO), the country's third-largest union, has published a strike notice for the period of September 1st to November 30th - covering all workers in all sectors. The head of the union, Frédéric Souillot, reportedly sent a letter to French Prime Minister François Bayrou on Tuesday informing him of the strike notice. In the letter, Souillot called on "all workers, both private and public sector, to mobilise and strike against the budgetary measures presented on July 15th, with the strike period starting September 1st", TF1 reported. The union leader called budget proposals "brutal, unfair and ineffective measures," French media reported. While unions can issue months-long strike notices, the more usual pattern is to hold two or three-day actions within the period of the strike notice. France's largest union - the hardline CGT - has called for 'mobilisation' in the autumn but has not made any specific plans while the second-largest union, the CFDT, said they had not ruled out plans for strike action, Capital FR reported. A meeting of France's inter-syndical - the group representing all the country's major unions - is scheduled for September 1st. In mid-July, Bayrou presented the outline of his plan to save €40 billion, which could include eliminating two public holidays, in an attempt to tackle France's spiralling budget deficit. Advertisement As of Tuesday, a petition to 'say no to the Bayrou budget' launched by several French unions had collected over 280,000 signatures, and last week, a mysterious online collective issued a call for a 'total and unlimited' blockade of France from September. READ MORE: Protest group calls for 'total blockade of France' in September Debates in parliament on the budget are due to take place in September and October, and it is possible that the prime minister could be toppled over the issue if he loses a vote of no confidence. You can find the latest details on all planned strikes and protests in France in our strike section here.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Peace, uplift: Pakistan, China reaffirm commitment
**ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to work together to achieve the common goal of regional peace and development. Army chief secures renewed commitments from China Chinese Special Envoy on Afghan Affairs, Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong, called on Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, here on Saturday, said a Foreign Office (FO) statement. The two sides exchanged views on regional cooperation and security challenges, the statement added.** Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan condemns Israeli parliament's attempt
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has unequivocally condemned the Israeli parliament's unlawful attempt to assert 'sovereignty' over the Occupied West Bank. This deplorable act constitutes a grave violation of international law and reflects Israel's persistent disregard for Palestinian rights and established international norms, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said on Friday. 'Such deliberate and provocative actions highlight the occupying power's systematic attempts to undermine efforts for peace and entrench its illegal occupation,' the spokesperson added. These unilateral measures represent a dangerous escalation that jeopardizes regional stability and prospects for a just and lasting settlement. Pakistan calls upon the international community to take swift and decisive action to hold Israel accountable for its violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions and international humanitarian law. These measures will neither be recognized nor alter the internationally acknowledged status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The FO spokesperson remarked that Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination. 'We steadfastly advocate for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions,' the statement added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
