Pakistan ready for talks with India: FO

Kashmir Solidarity Day will be observed on April 6 across Pakistani missions globally

ISLAMABAD: Relations with India and brutalities in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) dominated the weekly Foreign Office (FO) briefing as spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal stated that Pakistan is ready for talks but the eastern neighbour continues to avoid dialogue.

Referring to the extreme brutality and human rights violations Kashmiris were subjected to last week by Indian occupation forces, Dr Faisal stated that the "mindless killing spree exposes the ugly, inhuman face of state-terrorism that India has been perpetrating against Kashmiris for decades".

Condemning the brutalities, the spokesperson said Pakistan has expressed full solidarity with the people of the occupied valley and mentioned that the Federal Cabinet and National Security Committee meeting called by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also reviewed "the situation arising from the recent Indian brutalities and killings in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK)".



The cabinet also "adopted a resolution condemning the brutal and indiscriminate use of force by India and the illegal suspension of communication services in IoK."

The spokesperson also informed the media personnel that April 6 will be observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day in Islamabad and in Pakistani missions globally.

Furthermore, special envoys would be sent to selected capitals and the PM has directed relevant authorities to bear all expenses for the treatment of injured Kashmiris in IoK.

"Prime Minister emphasised that Indian attempts to label the legitimate Kashmir struggle as terrorism cannot deter the valiant people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand of exercising their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions," the spokesperson added further.

On Thursday, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif and Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua also briefed heads of diplomatic missions in Islamabad regarding Indian brutalities and atrocities innocent Kashmiris are facing.

Activities on the diplomatic front

FO spokesperson also Pakistan's "full support and solidarity with Saudi Arabia against any threats to its territorial integrity and against the Haramain Sharifain." This was said as Pakistan strongly condemned the latest Houthi ballistic missile attack on Saudi cities.

The struggle of the Palestinian people was also remembered as Pakistan called "upon the international community to put an end to the blatant use of force and flagrant violation of human rights of Palestinian people."

A delegation of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) visited Pakistan on March 29. The director general noted Pakistan's "full compatibility with the best international standards and coverage of items and technologies controlled by the MTCR."

The proposal of establishing a Pakistan Centre in Chengdu-Hi Tech (CDHT) by the Chengdu Government was lauded as a positive initiative by the FO spokesperson, further stating the "the Pakistan-China Centre should be used to demonstrate all the key endowment of Pakistan in the field of science and technology."



Felicitations were also made to Dr Mohammad Salman Qureshi who has been selected as the youngest scientist from Pakistan to participate in the 68th Lindau Laureate.

"Only 600 most qualified young scientists from all across the world are able to get the opportunity to enrich and share the unique atmosphere of the Lindau Noble Laureates meeting," the spokesperson added.