No backdoor diplomacy between India, Pakistan on Champions Trophy: FO

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “There is no backdoor diplomacy between India and Pakistan on the Champions Trophy and cricket.” She made these remarks in the weekly FO briefing.

She also said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in touch with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

COP29

FO spokesperson said that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif discussed the issue of glaciers in the UN Climate Conference COP29, being held in Baku. “On the sidelines of the conference, the Prime Minister met with the leadership of Azerbaijan,” she said, adding that the PM also met with the leadership of Turkey, Denmark and the Czech Republic.

OIC EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT

The PM and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar also visited Saudi Arabia to attend the extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). “Ishaq Dar demanded a ban on arms supply to Israel,” FO spokersperson said, adding that Dar also called for an immediate end to the Israeli siege of Gaza.

The Arabs welcome the joint declaration of the Islamic Summit, FO spokesperson said. Pakistan also expresses concern over the imprisonment of Kashmiri leadership, she added.

PAKISTAN-CHINA

“Rumors related to Chinese residents in Pakistan will not be given a response,” the spokesperson said, adding, “There are strong ties between Pakistan and China. Any attempt to harm Pakistan-China mutual trust will not be successful”.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that the foreign office is in touch with the British administration regarding the attack on the vehicle of the Pakistani High Commission. “The incident that happened with Khawaja Asif is regrettable.”

A special security force has been set up to protect CPEC projects, the FO spokesperson said.

PAKISTAN-US

Pakistan does not comment on appointments in the administration of other countries, she said, adding that Pakistan wants good relations with the United States.

PAKISTAN-UAE

She said that Pakistan does not agree with the concept of visa ban on Pakistanis in the UAE. “Pakistan will continue to discuss issues with the UAE government,” FO spokesperson said.

PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN

Pakistan condemns all forms of terrorism, the spokesperson said, adding, “Foreign Office urges Afghan administration to take action against terrorist groups. There are safe havens for terrorists in Afghanistan”.

PAKISTAN-INDIA

FO spokesperson said that a few years ago, Indian officer Kulbhushan Yadav was arrested from Balochistan. “There are reservations about Indian activities in Balochistan”, she added.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy: India-Pakistan deadlock persists