Pakistan rejects Indian defence minister’s remarks, warns of forceful response if provoked

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday warned India that any aggression would be met with a “forceful response”, rejecting what it described as provocative remarks by the Indian defence minister threatening military action against Pakistan.

The remarks came a day after Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that any future “terrorist act” originating from Pakistan would invite an even stronger response.

Singh claimed India’s commitment to peace should not be mistaken for weakness, adding that the country remained prepared to confront security challenges.

Addressing weekly press briefing today, Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said the remarks reflected India’s “hegemonic mindset” and posed risks to regional peace and stability in South Asia.

“Let there be no ambiguity: Pakistan remains fully prepared to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any ill-advised aggression,” he said.

The spokesperson urged India to learn from the military confrontation in May last year, saying Pakistan had demonstrated its capability and resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Our restraint and commitments must never be mistaken for weakness,” he said, adding that India should abandon its “belligerent posture and dangerous rhetoric” and act responsibly to ensure lasting peace in the region.

Pakistan reaffirms support for Saudi Arabia

Turning to developments in the Middle East, the spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia following attacks on the kingdom.

He said attacks against civilian populations and critical infrastructure were unacceptable and posed a grave threat to regional peace and security.

Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and stability, including under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA).

Khan also recalled that Pakistan had joined Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye in a joint statement issued on October 11 under the R4 Group framework, condemning continuing Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including the attack on King Khalid International Airport.

The four countries reaffirmed their solidarity with Riyadh, supported its measures to protect its territory and population, and called for an immediate and unconditional cessation of the attacks, he said.

Pakistan condemns Colombia’s embassy move

On Palestine, the spokesperson said Pakistan had joined the foreign ministers of 18 other countries in condemning Colombia’s inauguration of its embassy in Jerusalem.

The countries described the move as contrary to relevant UN Security Council resolutions and detrimental to the two-state solution.

Pakistan, Oman agree to boost cooperation

On bilateral relations, Khan said Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi visited Pakistan on October 13-14 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The two ministers co-chaired the eighth session of the Pakistan-Oman Joint Ministerial Commission, reviewing bilateral relations and agreeing to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, energy, maritime connectivity, information technology and workforce mobility.

Five agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed during the visit, alongside a protocol recording the proceedings of the commission’s session.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

Pakistan, Russia discuss bilateral ties

Khan said Dar met Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev at the Foreign Office on October 14. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also attended the meeting.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. They also stressed continued coordination at multilateral forums, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Dar also held separate telephone conversations with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on October 15 to discuss regional and international developments.

During his conversation with Abdelatty, Dar emphasised dialogue and diplomacy to address regional challenges and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for de-escalation efforts.

His discussion with Fidan covered the situation in Gaza and Palestine, as well as preparations and strategy for the forthcoming Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Iraq.

Pakistan calls on Kabul to act against militants

On counterterrorism, the spokesperson referred to Dar’s address at an international conference on Pakistan’s evolving counterterrorism landscape, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and cross-border threats, organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad on October 12.

Dar had reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to combat terrorism and called on the Afghan authorities to take “concrete, verifiable, and irreversible action” against groups operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan.

He also highlighted the threat posed by what Pakistan describes as Indian-sponsored militant groups operating against the country, including from Afghan territory.

Dar outlined counterterrorism measures, including the implementation of the National Action Plan, Operation Azm-e-Istehkam and enhanced intelligence coordination.

Pakistan, EU discuss legal migration pathways

The spokesperson said Dar met European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner in Islamabad on October 13 to discuss cooperation on migration and mobility under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan.

Dar highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to combat irregular migration, migrant smuggling and human trafficking, emphasising the need for greater opportunities for legal migration for Pakistani skilled workers and professionals.

Brunner appreciated Pakistan’s progress in curbing irregular migration and acknowledged the potential to expand legal migration pathways, Khan said.

IAEA mission reviews Pakistan’s nuclear security framework

Khan said the International Atomic Energy Agency’s International Physical Protection Advisory Service mission to Pakistan concluded on October 9.

The mission reviewed Pakistan’s national legal and regulatory framework governing nuclear security. The IAEA team appreciated Pakistan’s cooperation, transparency and professionalism during the review, he said.

He added that the mission reflected Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening nuclear security and promoting international cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

Pakistan moves to digitise document attestation

The spokesperson also announced an initiative to integrate databases held by the Foreign Office, Higher Education Commission and Inter Boards Coordination Commission to streamline the attestation and verification of educational documents.

Dar witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the three institutions.

The initiative aims to improve transparency, reduce delays and eliminate the need for physical visits, making services more accessible to Pakistanis at home and abroad.

Khan also said newly appointed Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad called on Dar on October 12 after formally assuming charge at the Foreign Office. Dar appreciated his contributions as Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN in New York and wished him success in his new role.