ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan is actively playing a diplomatic role in efforts to restore stability in the Middle East, the Foreign Office said on Thursday, while announcing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on bilateral ties and regional developments.
Addressing the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to Saudi Arabia from August 6 to 8. During the visit, the prime minister will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest and avenues for enhanced cooperation.
The spokesperson said Pakistan is contributing diplomatically to efforts aimed at restoring stability in the Middle East and appreciated Oman's constructive role in the evolving regional situation. He said Pakistan highly values Oman's contribution to promoting regional peace and dialogue.
Commenting on Indian statements regarding the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, Andrabi dismissed them as baseless, saying the electoral process was being conducted in a transparent manner. He said India had no moral justification for making such remarks and could not divert attention from the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir by spreading misinformation about deaths in Azad Kashmir.
He said the 13th Legislative Assembly elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir were held peacefully, transparently and in accordance with the Constitution, adding that the polls reflected the democratic and political aspirations of the people of the region.
The Foreign Office also categorically rejected allegations made by Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son and former adviser to former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who claimed that a Pakistani intelligence agency was involved in Bangladesh's internal affairs. The spokesperson said the people of Bangladesh were fully capable of resolving their own internal matters.
Referring to India's stance on Pakistan's intelligence agency, Andrabi said India appeared excessively insecure over the issue. He added that since Sajeeb Wazed Joy also resides in India, the same narrative seemed to have influenced him.
The Foreign Office further expressed hope that the Strait of Hormuz agreement would help pave the way for the resumption of negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Andrabi said Pakistan was optimistic that the agreement concerning the Strait of Hormuz would facilitate continued dialogue, particularly the revival of technical-level negotiations between Iran and the United States.