Islamabad, August 8, 2025: Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan on Friday reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestine, rejected recent allegations by the Ukrainian President, and addressed a range of regional and bilateral matters during the weekly press briefing.
Khan said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who visited Pakistan on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation, expressed gratitude for Islamabad’s continued support. During his meetings with President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, President Zardari strongly condemned Israeli aggression against Iran, while Prime Minister Sharif offered condolences over the Iranian lives lost during the twelve-day war.
The spokesperson noted that Pakistan has dispatched humanitarian aid to Gaza on the Prime Minister’s instructions, with the eighteenth consignment sent today under the supervision of the Information Minister.
Responding to recent accusations by the Ukrainian President, Khan said Pakistan had “categorically rejected” the claims, adding that Kyiv had provided no evidence to back its assertions. He stressed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the Ukraine conflict and confirmed the matter would be formally raised with Ukrainian authorities.
On relations with Israel, Khan reaffirmed that Pakistan has no diplomatic ties with Tel Aviv and the Pakistani passport explicitly bars travel to Israel. “Given the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, the question of engagement does not arise. Our stance remains clear and consistent,” he asserted.
Regarding the Kashmir issue, Khan said August 5 was observed nationwide as Youm-e-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation). Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar wrote to the United Nations urging a peaceful resolution of the dispute, while Pakistan welcomed a mediation offer from the U.S. President and called on India to respond seriously.
Addressing Afghanistan, Khan confirmed that Pakistan had upgraded the diplomatic status of the Afghan Ambassador in line with mutual agreements, without requiring credential presentation to the President. While avoiding direct comment on the UN travel ban against the Afghan Foreign Minister, he said preparations were underway for Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming UN General Assembly session.
On other matters, Khan clarified that visa issues concerning the sons of PTI founder fall under the Ministry of Interior’s jurisdiction, with the Foreign Office acting only on directives from the relevant ministry.
He accused India of having a “direct role” in terrorist incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which he said originate from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. He further dismissed speculation of any secret agreements with the United States over Pakistan’s mineral resources, including metals.
