Pakistan welcomes US F-16 support, condemns Indian minister’s remarks

Pakistan has welcomed US assistance for the upgradation of its F-16 fleet while strongly condemning recent remarks by India’s defence minister, calling them hateful and irresponsible, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

Addressing the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Islamabad appreciates Washington’s decision on F-16 modernisation as well as American investment in the Reko Diq project.

Responding to questions, Andrabi said Pakistan prefers not to comment on remarks by India’s minister, but the government “strongly condemns the recent hateful and controversial statement” issued by the Indian defence minister.

He accused India of continuing state-sponsored terrorism against Pakistan and highlighted ongoing human rights abuses in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where, according to a recent UN report, more than 2,800 Kashmiris are unlawfully detained.

He described the story of a mother from Budgam, whose son is detained, as “heartbreaking”, adding that the situation in occupied Kashmir has serious implications for the UN’s 1948 Human Rights Charter.

He expressed regret that India has stalled the SAARC process, noting that this is not the first time New Delhi has obstructed regional cooperation.

Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding concerns over India-Israel defence ties, saying India's support for extremist networks on Afghan soil creates risks of their access to dangerous weaponry.

On Afghanistan, he said Pakistan has not yet seen the draft of the resolution reportedly passed by Afghan authorities but termed it positive that terrorism carried out by an Afghan citizen has been acknowledged.

He stressed that the ceasefire situation has not improved and that Afghanistan bears responsibility for restoring stability. Pakistan, he said, remains ready to respond to any aggression.

The spokesperson confirmed that an aid convoy dispatched to Afghanistan has been cleared from Pakistan’s side, and its receipt now depends on the Taliban authorities.

The spokesperson stated that Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Afghanistan is fully operational and likely conveyed information about recent terrorists and their handlers through established channels.

On prisoner exchanges with the United Kingdom, he said there is no formal treaty between countries, and cases are handled individually.

He added that a high-level Pakistani delegation will soon visit Turkmenistan, with further details to be announced later.

Andrabi also reaffirmed that Pakistan’s economic partnership with Saudi Arabia is “solid”, continuing through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

He noted that Pakistan, along with eight Arab and Islamic countries, issued a joint statement responding to Israel’s remarks on the Rafah crossing.

On the proposal of an international stabilisation force in Gaza, he said Pakistan has made no decision regarding troop deployment.

LIVE: Spokesperson's Weekly Press Briefing 11-12-2025 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad https://t.co/Zj1AyIgsRJ

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) December 11, 2025

Reporter Anwer Abbas