FO spokesperson highlights regional diplomacy, trade push, and humanitarian efforts

ISLAMABAD: In a wide-ranging weekly media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi outlined a series of recent diplomatic engagements, humanitarian initiatives, and regional concerns shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy outlook.

KYRGYZ PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO PAKISTAN

Andrabi confirmed that the President of Kyrgyzstan concluded an official visit to Pakistan a day earlier, during which he met with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister. Delegation-level talks focused on expanding cooperation in trade and other sectors.

According to the spokesperson, both countries agreed to enhance bilateral trade by $200 million, and 120 business-to-business meetings have already been held to strengthen commercial ties.

ENGAGEMENTS WITH EGYPT

The spokesperson also highlighted last week’s visit of the Egyptian Foreign Minister to Pakistan. The two sides exchanged delegations as part of a first phase aimed at boosting bilateral trade. Discussions also touched on the academic situation of Pakistani students at Cairo University.

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO REGIONAL COUNTRIES

Andrabi announced that the Deputy Prime Minister had expressed condolences to his Malaysian counterpart over the devastating floods in Malaysia.

Pakistan has also dispatched humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka following cyclone damage, and continues to send assistance to Afghanistan in response to United Nations requests.

He said that the aid to Afghanistan is driven by humanitarian sympathy, adding, “Pakistan has no issues with the Afghan people. They are our brothers and sisters.”

UNCERTAINTY OVER REPORTED PAK-AFGHAN TALKS

Commenting on media reports regarding reported Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Saudi Arabia, Andrabi said the Foreign Office has “no knowledge” of any such engagement. He stressed that national security remains paramount:

“If opening the Pak-Afghan border leads to terrorism, then it is better to keep the border closed. Protecting our citizens is more important.”

He added that it remains unclear whether an aid convoy will proceed to Afghanistan, though a decision in principle has been made to send one.

SUPPORT FOR CHINA

Reiterating Pakistan’s strategic relationship with China, Andrabi said Islamabad remains a “close ally” and stands in full support of China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

BABRI MASJID ANNIVERSARY

The spokesperson also noted that tomorrow marks the 33rd anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid in India, an event that he described as a continuing source of “deep concern and sorrow.”

He added that the demolition remains “extremely painful for all those who stand against intolerance and religious discrimination.”