Islamabad, April 10, 2025: Pakistan has expressed concern over the far-reaching consequences of the United States’ newly imposed tariffs, warning that such measures could significantly impact developing economies due to the deeply interconnected nature of global trade.
Speaking at his weekly media briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan is closely monitoring the situation and hopes for a swift, mutually beneficial resolution.
Responding to queries about the potential impact on Pakistan, Khan noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a steering committee and a dedicated working group to assess and address the implications of the new tariffs on Pakistani exports.
On the recent discontinuation of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Programme between Pakistan and the United States, Khan expressed regret, highlighting the program’s role in fostering academic and cultural ties over the past 15 years. “Pakistan believes student exchange initiatives are vital for strengthening bilateral relations, promoting education, scientific cooperation, and people-to-people connections,” he said.
Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for the upcoming international conference in June 2025 on resolving the Palestine dispute. He lauded France and Saudi Arabia for co-chairing preparatory consultations and urged the international community to ensure the ceasefire is implemented, the blockade lifted, and humanitarian access guaranteed.
Khan strongly condemned Israel’s continued aggression and the recent killing of 15 Palestinian emergency and civil defense workers, calling the incident a grave violation of international norms.
Turning to the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Khan denounced the Indian authorities’ decision to prevent Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at Srinagar’s historic Jama Masjid and Eidgah, as well as on the sacred night of Laila-tul-Qadr.
He also criticized the recent passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in India’s Lok Sabha, calling it an attempt to dispossess Muslims of religious properties and further marginalize minority communities.
