Islamabad – Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson provided an extensive overview of the nation’s diplomatic activities this week, focusing heavily on the landmark visit of the Indonesian President and pressing security issues with Afghanistan and India.
Indonesia Visit Crowns 75 Years of Partnership
The main event of the week was the official visit of H.E. Mr. Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia. The visit was a commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic friendship, and at the end of the visit, President Subianto was bestowed with the highest civilian award of the country, the Nishan-e-Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Subianto agreed at the delegation-level talks to take the partnership to the next level by especially working to eliminate trade barriers and pursuing unexploited opportunities in the fields of IT, agriculture, defense, and the halal product industry. The aim is to equalize trade and intensify investment.
Eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed in important fields such as higher education, scholarships, health, and assistance to small and medium businesses.
Both countries reiterated their solidarity on the Jammu and Kashmir Dispute and the urgent humanitarian conditions in Palestine, and they agreed to maintain the coordination efforts in multilateral bodies such as the UN and OIC.
The Spokesperson, responding to speculation by a journalist that India might have contributed to an allegedly delayed visit by the Indonesian President, refused to comment on the rescheduling but pointed to the fact that the Joint Statement mentioned the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Rejection of Indian Rhetoric and Regional Multilateralism
Pakistan firmly rejected and condemned “highly inflammatory, baseless and irresponsible comments” made by an Indian Minister regarding Pakistan’s state institutions. The Spokesperson stated that such rhetoric is part of a propaganda campaign intended to “distract the attention from India’s destabilizing actions in the region.”
Specifically in response to the unreasonable remarks by the Spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the situation of democracy in Pakistan, the Spokesperson dismissed his statements, citing the fact that their own sources within the country have condemned their system of democracy and their electoral malpractices.
Regarding the future of SAARC and the President’s suggestion to include China and Iran, the Spokesperson stated that Pakistan “regrets that SAARC and its processes continue to be blocked by India,” recalling that India similarly stalled the SAARC Summit in the 1990s.
While hoping for SAARC’s quick revival, the Spokesperson added that Pakistan is “unwaveringly committed” to multilateralism and welcomes any initiative with countries like China and Bangladesh that aims to strengthen development, prosperity, and regional connectivity in South Asia and beyond.
In terms of defense cooperation, the US offered a package of upgrades and maintenance of its F-16 Fighting Falcon Fleet, totalling $686 million, which was received with open arms by Pakistan as an extension of the frequent defense relationship the US has had with it.
Cautious Welcome for Afghan Scholars’ ‘Fatwa’
Answering questions about cross-border terrorism, the Spokesperson provided a cautious answer to a new decree of more than 1,000 Afghan scholars, according to which military actions outside the country would be punishable in Afghanistan.
As the Spokesperson emphasized, Pakistan needs far beyond a statement to make any such realization of the gravity of the issue.
“Commitments made in the past by the Afghan Taliban regime have not been fulfilled. This is exactly why… Pakistan insisted on written assurances from the leadership of the Afghan Taliban Regime on this issue.”
Strong Diplomatic Push for Gaza
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza was the central point of the diplomatic activity this week. The Deputy PM/FM/Foreign Minister also held talks with their Iranian and Saudi counterparts to establish coordination on regional fronts.
Pakistan also expressed strong condemnation of the move by Israel to unilaterally limit the Rafah Crossing to the exit of only Gaza residents. This move was called a clear violation of the peace plan and a measure that undermines humanitarian access.
Pakistan demands full adherence to the established plan, emphasizing that the focus must be on creating conditions for Palestinians to stay on their land and ensuring the unrestricted entry of aid.
