In its weekly press briefing, Pakistan’s Foreign Office accused India of involvement in cross-border terrorism, stating that terrorist elements are operating from within Afghanistan. The spokesperson emphasized that terrorism remains the core issue in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
“We have shared our concerns with Afghan authorities,” said the spokesperson, reaffirming Pakistan’s desire to improve ties with Afghanistan. However, the presence of terrorists in Afghan territory and India’s support for them continues to hinder progress.
On a separate note, Pakistan welcomed the partial ruling from an arbitration court regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. The court rejected India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty, reinforcing Pakistan’s stance. “This decision confirms the validity and functionality of the treaty,” the spokesperson noted, urging India to honour its treaty obligations.
The spokesperson also confirmed the exchange of prisoner lists between Pakistan and India on July 1, in accordance with the 2008 Consular Access Agreement. Pakistan shared a list of 246 Indian prisoners, while India provided a list of Pakistani detainees. Pakistan has urged India to ensure the safety and well-being of its prisoners.
Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led the Pakistani delegation at the 17th ECO Summit in Azerbaijan, where he held sideline meetings with various leaders to promote regional cooperation. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar connected with his Turkish counterpart, with an upcoming visit from the Turkish Foreign Minister expected soon.
