FO reaffirms ties with Russia and Ukraine, calls for peaceful resolution to conflict

Foreign Office reiterated the country's commitment to promoting peace in Ukraine, underscoring its strong and friendly relations with both Russia and Ukraine.

During a media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan highlighted the ongoing negative impact of the conflict on developing countries, including Pakistan.

"Pakistan also has been negatively impacted by this tragic conflict," he said, stressing the importance of peace efforts in resolving the war. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for any initiative that promotes a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Regarding a recent security development, Khan addressed the arrest of Shareefullah, a top operational commander of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), and his subsequent handover to the United States. He noted that intelligence cooperation between Pakistan and the United States has been long-standing.

"Pakistani law enforcement agencies’ efforts against terrorists, including Islamic State Khorasan Province, have resulted in significant successes," Khan remarked. He added that Pakistan collaborated with the US in handing over Shareefullah pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Khan highlighted that these actions demonstrate Pakistan’s steadfast policy of zero tolerance against terrorism. "Intelligence cooperation has been ongoing, and it is not just the first time that this kind of activity happened," he said.