At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad today, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi emphasised that Pakistan's position on Palestine remains unchanged. He clarified it is a misconception that joining the Board of Peace is in any way connected to the Abraham Accord or any sidetrack to this issue.
He said joining the Board of Peace was a collective decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all stakeholders, and it was taken after completing all procedural formalities.
Tahir Andrabi also stated that Pakistan has not decided to join the International Stabilisation Force, and the membership of the Board of Peace does not imply contributing troops to it.
The Spokesperson said Pakistan's basic objective of joining the Board of Peace is to consolidate and sustain the ceasefire in Gaza, support the reconstruction and advance a just and lasting peace based on the Palestinian right to self-determination. He mentioned that seven other important Muslim countries, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia and Qatar, have also joined the Board of Peace along with Pakistan.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson said Pakistan's joining the Board of Peace should be seen in the continuum of the initiative by the eight Islamic countries to promote peace in Gaza, leading towards a lasting solution to the Palestinian question.
Alluding to the suffering, death and destruction faced by the people of Gaza, Tahir Andrabi said the Board of Peace offers a viable glimmer of hope for Gaza and the wider Palestinian question.
The Spokesperson said the Board of Peace does not replace the United Nations. It has been established with a specific mandate authorised by a UN Security Council resolution. He said we understand that the Board of Peace is intended to complement and not undermine the UN system.
Pakistan's policy toward Iran
Responding to a question, the Spokesperson said Pakistan remains opposed to the use of force and coercive measures, including the imposition of sanctions on Iran as well as interference in its internal affairs. He said Pakistan will continue to advocate for peace and diplomacy for the settlement of issues, emphasising that this region cannot afford war and turmoil.
Pakistan committed to regional peace
Pakistan is actively striving to promote peace and stability in the region amid a tense regional situation, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said.
Andrabi said Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace had also been highlighted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his participation in the World Economic Forum.
He said the prime minister attended the World Economic Forum and held several high-level sideline meetings with international leaders and global dignitaries.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said that the United States has upgraded its travel advisory for Pakistan, which will allow more people from the US to travel to Pakistan. He added that the revised travel advisory reflects Pakistan as a safer destination for travel.
Andrabi said President Asif Ali Zardari is currently on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, which reflects the long-standing and brotherly relations between Pakistan and the UAE.
The spokesperson said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently visited Davos, where he held meetings with several global leaders, and during his return journey also held meetings with senior officials during a stopover in Abu Dhabi. He added that Ishaq Dar also met senior officials of Etisalat in Abu Dhabi.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said that the deputy prime minister held two separate telephone conversations with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
He said that Ishaq Dar also held telephonic contacts with the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt and Bangladesh.
The spokesperson further said that a round of bilateral political consultations was held between Pakistan and Belgium, while Pakistan and Ghana also held their first-ever political consultations.
He said that during the current week, Myanmar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs visited Pakistan, and memorandums of understanding were signed on the occasion.
The spokesperson said that the President of Kazakhstan will visit Pakistan soon, and the dates of the visit will be announced shortly.
FO expresses its indifference to Judge Majoka's remarks about Iran
Replying to a question, the FO spokesperson expressed its indifference to Islamabad District and Sessions Courts Judge Afzal Majoka's statement and said that Judge Majoka's remarks regarding Iran in the Imaan Mazari case are personal opinions; Pakistan has no such position regarding Iran. In the Iman Mazari case, Judge Majuka had declared Iran a terrorist state.
Reporter: Anwer Abbas