Pakistan yesterday reiterated its readiness for a comprehensive and composite dialogue with India to address all outstanding issues, including terrorism.
Speaking at the weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said dialogue remained Pakistan's consistent position and that the country was prepared to engage on all matters of concern.
'Deputy Prime Minister (Ishaq Dar) has reiterated our old position that we are ready for composite dialogue. India says that they would talk on terrorism only; however, we want to talk on all matters including terrorism, not just on terrorism,' he emphasized.
Shafqat Ali Khan noted that Pakistan possessed 'credible and irrefutable evidence' of India's involvement in terrorist activities inside its borders, but underscored that terrorism should form only one item on the broader dialogue agenda. 'We will not hesitate from discussion on terrorism. We have complete and detailed evidence about India's acts of terrorism against Pakistan,' he said.
The spokesperson welcomed any facilitation by friendly countries to help revive the dialogue process. 'We welcome all efforts because the direction of our policy is very clear, and we are ready for composite dialogue. Any initiative that helps us achieve our objectives will be received positively,' he remarked.
Turning to regional security, Shafqat Ali Khan expressed grave concern over India's 'mad rush' for arms accumulation, warning that such actions posed a serious threat not only to Pakistan's security but also to regional stability. 'It is an alarming trend. The arms buildup becomes more sinister when you look at their declaratory policy, and the domestic developments in India, which are so hostile towards Pakistan and increasingly Islamophobic,' he said.
He criticized the international community for ignoring India's growing military capabilities, including its recent missile tests. 'The international community turning a blind eye to India's mad rush to develop military capabilities is a very dangerous trend. This remains a source of peril for regional security and stability,' he warned.
The spokesperson underlined that Pakistan retained full capability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. 'We remain ready, and we have enough capability to respond effectively and defend our territory, our sovereignty and our country to any threat or action from India,' he asserted.
On Afghanistan, Shafqat Ali Khan said terrorism emanating from Afghan soil remained a 'sore point' in bilateral ties, impeding the full potential of economic cooperation, connectivity, and trade. 'We hope Afghan authorities would respond to our legitimate concerns so that Pakistan and Afghanistan can realize the true promise of brotherly relations,' he added.
The spokesperson also reaffirmed Pakistan's 'all-weather partnership' with China, terming it a sustainable and time-tested relationship rooted in history, trust, and the will of the people of both countries. 'Pakistan-China relations are multifaceted and have stood the test of times. They are stable and sustainable on their own and will continue to achieve new heights,' he stated.
Addressing questions on counterterrorism, Shafqat Ali Khan clarified that Pakistan's ongoing operations against militants were conducted solely by Pakistani security forces and law enforcement agencies. He added that while intelligence-sharing with friendly countries was ongoing, 'the actual operations against terrorists…are by Pakistan alone.'
Responding to a question on Pakistani diplomats facing harassment in India, the spokesperson called for adherence to international treaties and the mutually agreed code of conduct between the two countries. 'The provisions of all these documents should be fully respected and implemented,' he urged.
To a question about speculated think tank activities involving Indian participants, Shafqat Ali Khan clarified that such initiatives should not be mistaken for state-level engagement. 'It is a think tank activity and not a state-sponsored activity. Government of Pakistan is not hosting a formal conference,' he clarified.
The spokesperson also addressed a wide range of other issues, including Pakistan-US relations, foreign investments in mines and minerals, and upcoming high-level visits, reaffirming Islamabad's commitment to diplomacy rooted in the UN Charter and international law.
To a question, Khan said Pakistan-US relations historically have been strong in terms of people-to-people contacts, the Pakistani diaspora, students, doctors, trade, investment, range of aspects on which the two countries have collaborated together.
'It is a long-standing relationship, so I do not see any threat to the sustainability of this relationship. A relationship which has been there for more than seven decades, will continue. We will persist with our efforts to build and further strengthen this important relationship and we remain optimistic about Pakistan-US relations,' he added.
He said composite dialogue with India was a long-standing Pakistani position. 'There is no departure from our basic position. And about the United States President highlighting the US role, we acknowledge and appreciate it. One party denying the facts is a different thing. So, beyond how many times President Trump has highlighted the US role, it's a fact that the US played a critical role in the ceasefire, and de-escalation. It continues to make very important contribution to the peace and stability of this region,' he elaborated.
About Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit and his meetings in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the spokesperson said the details were being finalised.
India's arms buildup threat to regional peace: FO
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