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Business Recorder
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Delegations to project Pakistan's perspective on Indian aggression
ISLAMABAD: Pursuant to the prime minister's directive, two high-level multiparty delegations started their visit to New York, Washington DC, Moscow, London and Brussels on 2 June 2025 to project Pakistan's perspective on the recent Indian aggression. In response to media queries, the Spokesperson of the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed that, under the PM instructions, the Pakistani delegations will engage with key capitals, to present the country's perspective on recent Indian aggression and Pakistan's measured and responsible conduct. FO Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement on Monday that a nine-member Pakistani delegation is led by Chairman Pakistan People's Party, and former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The other members of the delegation include Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr Musadik Masood Malik; Chairperson, Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and former Minister for Information and Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman; Chairperson, National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar; former Minister for Commerce, Defence and Foreign Affairs, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan; former Minister for Maritime Affairs, Senator Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari; and Senator Bushra Anjum Butt. Bilawal-led delegation reaches US The delegation also includes two former Foreign Secretaries, Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani (retired), who also served as Caretaker Foreign Minister, and Ambassador Tehmina Janjua (retired). Another delegation, led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Syed Tariq Fatemi, will visit Moscow from 2 June 2025, the spokesperson added. The visits of these delegations are aimed at projecting Pakistan's perspective on the recent Indian aggression. The delegations will highlight Pakistan's responsible and restrained conduct – seeking peace with responsibility – in the face of India's reckless and belligerent actions in violation of international law. They will also highlight that dialogue and diplomacy should take precedence over conflict and confrontation, Ambassador Shafqat remarked. 'The delegations will underscore the imperative for the international community to play its due role in promoting a lasting peace in South Asia,' he said, adding the need for immediate resumption of the normal functioning of the Indus Waters Treaty will also be a key theme of the delegations' outreach. The delegations will engage in a series of meetings with the leadership of international bodies, public office holders, senior officials, parliamentarians, think tanks, media and diaspora. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Delegations to project country's perspective
ISLAMABAD: Pursuant to the prime minister's directive, two high-level multiparty delegations started their visit to New York, Washington DC, Moscow, London and Brussels on 2 June 2025 to project Pakistan's perspective on the recent Indian aggression. In response to media queries, the Spokesperson of the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed that, under the PM instructions, the Pakistani delegations will engage with key capitals, to present the country's perspective on recent Indian aggression and Pakistan's measured and responsible conduct. FO Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement on Monday that a nine-member Pakistani delegation is led by Chairman Pakistan People's Party, and former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The other members of the delegation include Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr Musadik Masood Malik; Chairperson, Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and former Minister for Information and Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman; Chairperson, National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar; former Minister for Commerce, Defence and Foreign Affairs, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan; former Minister for Maritime Affairs, Senator Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari; and Senator Bushra Anjum Butt. Bilawal-led delegation reaches US The delegation also includes two former Foreign Secretaries, Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani (retired), who also served as Caretaker Foreign Minister, and Ambassador Tehmina Janjua (retired). Another delegation, led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Syed Tariq Fatemi, will visit Moscow from 2 June 2025, the spokesperson added. The visits of these delegations are aimed at projecting Pakistan's perspective on the recent Indian aggression. The delegations will highlight Pakistan's responsible and restrained conduct – seeking peace with responsibility – in the face of India's reckless and belligerent actions in violation of international law. They will also highlight that dialogue and diplomacy should take precedence over conflict and confrontation, Ambassador Shafqat remarked. 'The delegations will underscore the imperative for the international community to play its due role in promoting a lasting peace in South Asia,' he said, adding the need for immediate resumption of the normal functioning of the Indus Waters Treaty will also be a key theme of the delegations' outreach. The delegations will engage in a series of meetings with the leadership of international bodies, public office holders, senior officials, parliamentarians, think tanks, media and diaspora. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan hits back at India's remarks, calls for peace and Kashmir solution
Listen to article Pakistan on Monday strongly criticised recent comments by Indian leaders, describing them as reflective of a hostile and dangerous mindset that undermines regional peace. The statement from Pakistan's Foreign Office followed remarks made by India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson on May 29, when he claimed that talks on Kashmir would only proceed if Pakistan 'hands over Azad Jammu and Kashmir' to India. Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said any attempt to blame Pakistan for instability in the region was disconnected from facts. 'The international community is well aware of India's aggressive conduct, including documented evidence of support for terrorism inside Pakistan,' he said. #WATCH | Delhi: MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "... As far as our engagement with Pakistan is concerned, our stand has been clear. Any engagement has to be bilateral. We would like to reiterate that terrorism and talks cannot go together. They need to hand over to India,… — ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025 'These realities cannot be hidden behind hollow claims or diversionary tactics,' Khan added. Reaffirming Pakistan's position, he stated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains a critical threat to peace in South Asia. Islamabad, he said, will continue to advocate for a fair and durable settlement of the dispute by UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. He said India's remarks once again proved the futility of relying on nationalism and coercion. 'Threats and aggression will not allow India to achieve its goals,' he noted. While reiterating Pakistan's commitment to constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement, the spokesperson stressed that the country is equally prepared to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He concluded that sustainable peace in the region requires 'seriousness, restraint, and addressing the root causes of conflict'.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Rising Islamophobia in India alarming: FO
Pakistan on Saturday expressed deep concern over the growing number of Islamophobic incidents across India and warned that the deliberate incitement of religious hatred for political or ideological purposes violates India's international human rights obligations. Responding to media queries, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, in a statement, said Pakistan strongly condemned the targeting of Muslims through hate speech, discriminatory policies, and acts of violence, reportedly carried out with the complicity or silence of Indian authorities. "Pakistan calls upon the Indian government to uphold the rights and safety of all its citizens, regardless of faith," the spokesperson said, warning that the deliberate incitement of religious hatred for political or ideological purposes was in violation of India's international human rights obligations. Khan added that such actions, at a time when restraint and reconciliation are most needed, further undermine prospects for communal harmony and regional stability. The statement comes amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following New Delhi's accusations — leveled without evidence — linking Islamabad to the Pahalgam attack in IIOJK. The Pakistani government has strongly rejected the allegations. Human rights organisations, including the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), have recorded at least 21 incidents of anti-Muslim violence across India in the days following the attack. These include physical assaults on Kashmiri Muslims, hate speeches at public rallies, and reported calls for the expulsion of Muslim students from hostels. The situation has been further inflamed by the rise of incendiary music aligned with Hindutva ideology. Songs disseminated widely through platforms like YouTube and WhatsApp have been accused of inciting hatred against Muslims. One such song, Pehle Dharam Pocha ("They Asked About Religion First"), surfaced shortly after the Pahalgam incident, accusing Indian Muslims of conspiring against Hindus. It has garnered over 140,000 views in less than a week. Other tracks such as Ab Ek Nahi Huye Toh Kat Jaaoge ("If You Don't Unite Now You Will Be Slaughtered") and Jaago Hindu Jaago ("Wake Up, Hindus") have called on Hindus to identify "traitors within the country"a phrase widely seen as a veiled reference to Muslims. In parallel with the online hate campaign, authorities in Gujarat reportedly demolished around 2,000 huts, which officials claimed were illegally occupied by undocumented migrants from Bangladesh. Activists, however, argue that the demolitions are part of a broader pattern of systemic discrimination aimed at portraying Indian Muslims as "outsiders".
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan condemns rising Islamophobia in India
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in Islamophobic incidents and human rights violations across India. Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan stated this while responding to media queries about increase in Islamophobic incidents across India. Pakistan calls upon the Government of India to uphold the rights and safety of all its citizens, regardless of faith, the spokesperson added. 'The targeting of Muslims through hate speech, discriminatory actions, and state complicity is a matter of serious concern for the international community,' Ambassador Shafqat remarked. Foreign office summons Indian diplomat in Islamabad At a time when restraint and reconciliation are most needed, the deliberate incitement of religious hatred for political or ideological purposes violates international human rights obligations and vitiates the prospects for communal harmony, and regional stability.' Earlier this month, New Delhi-based Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) reported that over 184 hate crimes targeting Muslims were recorded across India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Each case has been documented with verified sources and relevant details in our updated report. According to the Association report, Pahalgam terror attack spiked incidents of hate crime targeted at Muslims. This is an updated version of the previous report, with incidents dating from 22 April 2025 to 8 May 2025. To access data about hate crime incidents. Around 184 hate crimes were reported across India. 106 of these were linked to the Pahalgam terror attack, with the latter serving as the triggering factor. A minimum of 316 individuals were affected, physically or otherwise; this figure is an estimate and the actual number is likely higher due to underreporting and lack of documentation, APCR pointed out. The acts had common patterns that were neither random nor isolated. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
