ISLAMABAD – The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday ruled out any backdoordiplomacy brokered by the United Arab Emirates between Pakistan and India.
At a weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson MumtazZahra Baloch dismissed any such development taking place. “At this stage,no dialogue is taking place between Pakistan and India,” she categoricallystated.
Regarding ongoing atrocities committed by India in the occupied Jammu andKashmir, she said Pakistan would continue to raise its voice on thecontinuing grave human rights abuses in the valley.
“It will also continue to extend unstinted moral, political and diplomaticsupport to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their quest forself-determination in accordance with the relevant UN Security Councilresolutions,” she said.
Pakistan and the United States were in a new process of re-engagement basedon “productive and cooperative” collaboration in diverse matters, she added.
“We are undertaking discussions on different issues including agriculture,climate change, investment, energy, and other sectors, and we also continueto discuss all issues of concern to both sides,” Baloch said in response tothe statement of the US that Pakistan can buy Russian oil despiterestrictions.
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The FO spokesperson said Pakistan appreciated its close friendship with theUnited States and was in a process of “re-engagement”.
Asked about the claim of Pakistan national Abdul Rehman Makki that he wasnot provided an opportunity of defence over his listing by the UnitedNations, she said the decision was made by the world body under its listingprocedure.
“Pakistan as a responsible member of the international community followsthe decision of the UN and its institutions,” she said.
