Pakistan denounces US Congress resolution as 'unsolicited interference'
Pakistan
FO says resolution stemmed from inadequate, erroneous understanding of Pakistani politics
(Web Desk) – Pakistan on Friday said that Resolution 901 adopted by the US House of Representatives was an “unsolicited interference” in Pakistan’s domestic affairs which was “neither welcome nor acceptable”.
The resolution clearly stemmed from an inadequate and erroneous understanding of political and electoral process of Pakistan, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated at the weekly press briefing.
“It is also an unsolicited interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs. We believe that bilateral relations between countries should be based on mutual respect and sovereign equality. The unsolicited interference from the US Congress is therefore neither welcome nor acceptable,” the spox remarked.
Besides, the spokesperson added, the timing and context of the said resolution were also not conducive to the current positive trajectory of bilateral ties between Pakistan and the United States.
“Pakistan will like to develop its relations with the US on the basis of mutual trust and confidence and non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs.”
Expressing concerns about the continued suppression of the democratic rights of the Kashmiris in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Baloch said that a few days ago, Indian authorities banned the elections of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association and arrested its former president Mian Qayoom.
Indian authorities also disallowed Eid congregation at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid and house arrested prayer leader and prominent Kashmir leader Mir Waiz, she added.
“These oppressive measures are yet another example of the autocratic approach of the Indian authorities and a violation of the fundamental freedoms and human rights, especially of the rights of association and peaceful assembly,” she said, reiterating Pakistan’s stance for continued political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiri people for just and peaceful settlement of the dispute as per the UN Security Council resolutions.
The spokesperson strongly condemned the indiscriminate bombing of Beit Lahia city in Northern Gaza by Israeli forces, killing women and children. “Pakistan deplores Israel’s actions as war crimes against the people of Gaza and emphasizes the urgent need for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to prevent further civilian casualties.”
Baloch informed the media that the government had appointed Additional Foreign Secretary (Middle East and SIFC) Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Washington and Asim Iftikhar, currently serving as Pakistan’s envoy in France, as Pakistan’s additional permanent representative to the United Nations in New York.
Baloch apprised the media of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar’s address at the Institute of Strategic Studies where he called for leveraging Pakistan’s strategic location and advocating for international cooperation over confrontation, with firm support for multilateralism, promoting peaceful relations and regional stability to foster sustainable economic development.
The FO spox mentioned the 18th round of bilateral political consultations between Pakistan and Sweden held on June 26 in which two sides reviewed the breadth of bilateral cooperation and agreed to enhance cooperation, aiming for a comprehensive relationship grounded in strong economic ties.
The spokesperson also highlighted that Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia and Pacific) Ambassador Imran Siddiqui represented Pakistan at the 19th meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member states of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) held in Tehran where he emphasised the significance of promoting regional connectivity and leveraging complementarities among member states.
