ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch claimed on Friday that Pakistan was in contact with the US for the country's requirements for energy.
Addressing her weekly media briefing in Islamabad, the spokesperson said she had seen the US statement on Pakistan’s willingness to get energy from Iran.
A State Department spokesperson had warned Islamabad regarding "potential risk of sanctions" following Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Pakistan.
"We advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions,' the spokesperson said.
Baloch said there was cooperation for trade on a preferential basis between Pakistan and Iran. She said the matter of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline was discussed and it was also reflected in the joint statement later.
She said Pakistan discussed the trade route between Gwadar and Chabahar ports with the Iranian president. She said the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran were robust.
As for Israel’s atrocities in Palestine, Baloch said Pakistan rapped Israel’s atrocities and demanded international investigation. She said Pakistan and Iran had the same stance on the issue of Gaza and Kashmir.
Baloch said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was scheduled to attend a special meeting of the World Economic Forum on “Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development” in Riyadh on April 28-29.
She told the media that the prime minister, accompanied by Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, would travel to the Kingdom at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab.
She said that the high-level participation in the Forum would provide an opportunity to highlight Pakistan’s priorities in global health architecture, inclusive growth, regional collaboration and balance between growth and energy consumption, besides interacting with the participating world leaders and heads of international orgnisations.
About the premier’s participation in the upcoming OIC meeting, the FO spox said PM Shehbaz would visit Gambia to attend the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference under the slogan “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development,” on May 4-5, 2024 in Banjul, the capital city of Gambia.
The OIC summit is being held at a critical time when the Israeli atrocities in Gaza continue unabated.
Baloch said that PM Shehbaz would express Pakistan’s grave concern on genocide in Gaza, advocate for their right to self-determination, the imperative of solidarity, besides deliberating on Islamophobia, terrorism and the challenges faced by the world, particularly the Muslim world.
The premier will also hold bilateral meetings with the Muslim world leaders.
The OIC Summit will be preceded by the preparatory meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers on May 2-3 to be attended by Foreign Minister Dar, who will also hold bilateral meetings.