Pakistan to play role for regional peace, stability: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan does not want tension and will continue to play its role in establishment of peace and stability in the region, and will welcome any move by the United States or Iran to de-escalate the tense situation.

Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui, in her weekly press briefing, Pakistan has already expressed its deep concern over the evolving situation in the Middle East as it could seriously threaten peace and stability in the region.

“Pakistan has emphasized the importance of restraint and diffusion of tensions. The Prime Minister has stressed that war is in no one’s interest. He also made it clear that Pakistan would not be part of any conflict in the region but will be a partner for peace and would continue to make efforts for diffusion of tensions, prevention of conflict and preservation of peace,” said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson added that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has held wide-ranging discussions with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Kuwait and several other important interlocutors.

The foreign minister reaffirmed that Pakistan would neither let its soil be used against any other state nor become part of any regional conflict. He said Pakistan would continue to play a role in preventing further escalation and maintaining regional peace and stability.

Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with all the countries including Iran and Afghanistan. She said that Pakistan rejects Indian propaganda on treatment of minorities in Pakistan, adding the opening of Kartarpur Corridor is reflection of the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“The BJP government’s mischievous portrayal of an isolated law and order incident in Peshawar and Nankana Sahib as alleged ‘persecution’ of minorities is part of its smear campaign against Pakistan and a desperate attempt to divert attention from the ongoing state terrorism in IOJ&K as well as the ongoing systematic discrimination against minorities across India,” she said.

Referring to situation in Kashmir, the spokesperson said it is 158th day of the lockdown of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the people of the territory are deprived to life, food, health, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and right to self-determination.

“We have also seen reports that India is arranging a visit of the envoys of few nations to Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K). It is our hope that the visit would take place without any restrictions by the Indian Government, and that the envoys will have access to all the areas,” she added.

Replying to a question, the spokesperson said the prime minister’s visit to Malaysia is envisaged in near future and we remain closely engaged with Malaysia as our brotherly country.