Pakistan has expressed the hope that US President Donald Trump will raise the issue of Kashmir with the Indian leadership during his upcoming visit to the South Asian country.

At her weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said the offer of mediation expressed by the US President will hopefully be taken forward through some practical steps.

She also said Pakistan welcomes the letter written by the US Senators to the US Secretary of State drawing attention to the plight of people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The spokesperson pointed out that voices are growing around the globe urging India to provide fundamental freedoms to the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, lift the draconian laws and ensure the just resolution of the outstanding issue as per the UN Security Council Resolutions.

Afghanistan

To a question on the Afghan peace process, the spokesperson said Pakistan seeks to see peace and stability return to Afghanistan more than any other country in the world.

She expressed the hope that the peace deal between the US and Afghan Taliban will be signed sooner than later. She also showed hope that the deal agreement will take into account the interests of all the stakeholders.

Miss Farooqui expressed the confidence that the deal will lead to intra-Afghan dialogue.

Arrest of Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia

To a query about the arrests of Pakistani nationals in Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson strongly rejected the impression that it was a Pakistan-specific drive.

She said that Saudi Arabia carries out the exercise against illegal expatriates and workers every year before the holy month of Ramazan.

The spokesperson claimed that Saudi authorities had also arrested nationals of several other countries as part of this drive.

She said Pakistani consulate in Jeddah remains in constant touch with the Saudi authorities on this matter and was taking all possible measures within the local rules and regulations to protect the interests of Pakistani community.

She said, "Our fraternal ties with Saudi Arabia are of strategic importance and remain strong and dynamic."

Students in China

To a question, the spokesperson said a special task force comprising two officers of our mission in Beijing has been sent and deployed in Chinese city of Wuhan and its mandate is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Pakistani students.

She said the task force has already visited seven universities in Wuhan where they have individually met every Pakistani student besides interacting with the administration of those universities.

Referring to the recent visits of the UN Secretary-General and the Turkish President, Miss Farooqui said these show a growing acknowledgement by the international community of Pakistan's contributions towards global peace and security.