Latest news with #FO
Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan condemns Israeli attempt to assert sovereignty over Occupied West Bank
Pakistan unequivocally condemned on Friday 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,' the Foreign Office (FO) said in a press release today. The FO said that such deliberate and provocative actions highlight the occupying power's systematic attempts to undermine efforts for peace and entrench its illegal occupation. 'These unilateral measures represent a dangerous escalation that jeopardizes regional stability and prospects for a just and lasting settlement.' Violence has surged in the West Bank since the beginning of the war in Gaza, sparked by an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023. At least 960 Palestinians – including militants and civilians – have been killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers, according to an AFP tally based on Palestinian Authority data. In the same time period, at least 36 Israelis – including civilians and security forces – have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations there, according to official Israeli figures. Moreover, the FO, in its press release urged 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 said. '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.'
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Dar to meet Rubio for key talks today
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Ishaq Dar is slated to meet US Secretary of State, Senator Marco Rubio on Friday (today) in Washington DC to cover a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, including Pakistan-India tension, de-escalation, Pakistan-India ceasefire agreement, and regional development. 'Discussions will emphasise the importance of diplomacy and Pakistan-India dialogue in South Asia,' Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated this during a weekly media briefing on Thursday. When asked about American officials' statements to host Pakistan-India FMs over luncheon on Friday, he, however, showed ignorance about such a meeting. Rubio tells PM: US seeks Pakistan's help for ME peace To another question, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said that Pakistan maintains that the path to lasting peace in South Asia lies in meaningful dialogue. 'It is for India to decide whether it wishes to engage constructively. We believe India should be thankful to the US for its role in de-escalating recent tensions, which led to a ceasefire. The causes leading to the ceasefire are well known. Any misadventure by India will receive a firm and proportionate response,' he asserted. The spokesperson emphasised that Pakistan remains ready to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Responding to queries, the FO spokesperson dismissed the reports that the visit of the President of Iran was slated for July 26, however, dates are currently being finalised by the foreign ministries of both countries. 'Bilateral relations, trade, economy, people-to-people contacts, and much-stalled Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, will feature prominently in the agenda during Iran's President visit to Pakistan,' he remarked. Pakistan remains committed to supporting the people of Gaza. Unfortunately, Israeli restrictions have hindered humanitarian access. Pakistan continues to urge all parties to come to the negotiating table and adopt peaceful means to resolve the conflict. Regarding the renewal and registration of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for Afghan refugees, he highlighted a decision is awaited from the Ministry of Interior. Shafqat Ali Khan said that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi's recent visit to Afghanistan was of considerable importance. He said the presence of terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan remains a major obstacle and impediment to regional peace. The spokesperson has also brushed aside the speculation about the recognition of the Taliban government in Kabul, terming it premature. He added that Pakistan-Afghanistan Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) is an early harvest initiative and is expected to progress further in the near future. Pakistan remains committed to enhancing economic and trade ties with Afghanistan. Pakistan supports a peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through negotiations. Stability in the region depends on dialogue and mutual understanding. The FO spokesperson announced that Pakistan is actively pursuing full membership of BRICS and is serious about contributing to the grouping's goals and vision. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Reciprocal tariff: Pakistan officials to meet Trump administration, Bloomberg reports
A Pakistani delegation will soon meet the administration of US President Donald Trump in a bid to reach an agreement on a trade deal, Bloomberg quoted US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce as saying. In a US Department of State press briefing a day ago, Bruce said she will attend the meeting between the Pakistani delegation and US officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar is currently visiting the United States to attend high-level signature events of Pakistan's UN Security Council (UNSC) presidency in New York, as well as for important bilateral engagements in Washington, as per the Foreign Office (FO). Islamabad is looking forward to the 29% reciprocal tariffs to be lifted that the Trump administration levied initially, Bloomberg said. The South Asian country has proposed to increase imports of soybeans and cotton, while it already is the second-largest buyer of US cotton by value, after China. Whereas, Pakistan's biggest export destination is the United States. Bilateral ties between Pakistan and US have improved in recent times, with Trump's holding a rare meeting with Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House. The FO stated on July 19 that FM Dar's visit is an indication of Pakistan's increasing importance in both its relations with the US and the global landscape. Aurangzeb meets US Secy Commerce Moreover, in order to complete a trade agreement, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has also visited the United States and met with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington recently to advance economic cooperation, as per the Ministry of Finance. Reuters last week reported that the negotiations, focused on reciprocal tariffs, are part of a broader push to reset economic ties at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments and Pakistan's efforts to avoid steep US duties on exports.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan officials to meet Trump administration, Bloomberg reports
A Pakistani delegation will soon meet the administration of US President Donald Trump in a bid to reach an agreement on a trade deal, Bloomberg quoted US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce as saying. In a US Department of State press briefing a day ago, Bruce said she will attend the meeting between the Pakistani delegation and US officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar is currently visiting the United States to attend high-level signature events of Pakistan's UN Security Council (UNSC) presidency in New York, as well as for important bilateral engagements in Washington, as per the Foreign Office (FO). Islamabad is looking forward to the 29% reciprocal tariffs to be lifted that the Trump administration levied initially, Bloomberg said. The South Asian country has proposed to increase imports of soybeans and cotton, while it already is the second-largest buyer of US cotton by value, after China. Whereas, Pakistan's biggest export destination is the United States. Bilateral ties between Pakistan and US have improved in recent times, with Trump's holding a rare meeting with Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House. The FO stated on July 19 that FM Dar's visit is an indication of Pakistan's increasing importance in both its relations with the US and the global landscape. Aurangzeb meets US Secy Commerce Moreover, in order to complete a trade agreement, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has also visited the United States and met with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington recently to advance economic cooperation, as per the Ministry of Finance. Reuters last week reported that the negotiations, focused on reciprocal tariffs, are part of a broader push to reset economic ties at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments and Pakistan's efforts to avoid steep US duties on exports.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistani officials going to ‘meet' Trump administration
A Pakistani delegation will soon meet the administration of US President Donald Trump in a bid to reach an agreement on a trade deal, Bloomberg quoted US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce as saying. In a US Department of State press briefing a day ago, Bruce said she will attend the meeting between the Pakistani delegation and US officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar is currently visiting the United States to attend high-level signature events of Pakistan's UN Security Council (UNSC) presidency in New York, as well as for important bilateral engagements in Washington, as per the Foreign Office (FO). Islamabad is looking forward to the 29% reciprocal tariffs to be lifted that the Trump administration levied initially, Bloomberg said. The South Asian country has proposed to increase imports of soybeans and cotton, while it already is the second-largest buyer of US cotton by value, after China. Whereas, Pakistan's biggest export destination is the United States. Bilateral ties between Pakistan and US have improved in recent times, with Trump's holding a rare meeting with Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House. The FO stated on July 19 that FM Dar's visit is an indication of Pakistan's increasing importance in both its relations with the US and the global landscape. Aurangzeb meets US Secy Commerce Moreover, in order to complete a trade agreement, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has also visited the United States and met with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington recently to advance economic cooperation, as per the Ministry of Finance. Reuters last week reported that the negotiations, focused on reciprocal tariffs, are part of a broader push to reset economic ties at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments and Pakistan's efforts to avoid steep US duties on exports.
