Pakistan Rejects Indian Claims, Says Strategic Assets Safe

ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) – Pakistan on Thursday rejected recent statements by Indian officials concerning an alleged strike on Kirana Hills, firmly asserting that the country’s strategic assets remain secure and that their safety is non-negotiable.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, speaking during his weekly media briefing, questioned the timing of the claims, asking why statements about the alleged incident were emerging 16 to 18 months after the events.

Andrabi dismissed the remarks as “Bollywood-style statements” and said they carried no significance. He reiterated that Pakistan’s strategic assets were fully secure and that Islamabad would not compromise on their protection.

The comments come amid renewed discussion over claims linked to Kirana Hills following Operation Sindoor. Different accounts have emerged regarding whether the area was targeted, with some statements by Indian officials also drawing questions and controversy.

Pakistan to Chair SCO for One Year

The Foreign Office spokesperson also announced that Pakistan will host next year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit after assuming the organisation’s presidency for a one-year term.

According to Andrabi, Pakistan’s presidency will officially begin following the upcoming SCO Heads of State meeting. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to travel to Bishkek to participate in the conference.

Pakistan’s upcoming SCO presidency is expected to provide Islamabad with an opportunity to strengthen its engagement on regional connectivity, economic cooperation, security and other shared challenges.

Islamabad Seeks Stronger Trade Ties With Iran

Discussing Pakistan-Iran economic relations, Andrabi said bilateral trade was continuing and Islamabad remained interested in expanding commercial cooperation with Tehran.

He explained that Pakistan’s trade with Iran would remain subject to applicable international laws and obligations. However, Pakistan does not consider itself bound by unilateral sanctions imposed by individual countries.

The spokesperson said the situation would be different if sanctions were imposed by the United Nations. He added that Pakistan has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions that extend beyond UN measures.

Pakistan Continues Diplomatic Efforts on US-Iran Tensions

On growing tensions between the United States and Iran, Andrabi said Pakistan was continuing diplomatic engagement aimed at reducing tensions and encouraging negotiations.

He said Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s recent visit to Iran was part of Pakistan’s broader peace efforts and rejected suggestions that the visit had been undertaken as an envoy for US President Donald Trump.

The spokesperson said Pakistan was working with friendly and brotherly countries to encourage dialogue, de-escalation and a negotiated resolution to the regional crisis.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also visited Tehran on August 14, where discussions focused on reducing tensions, ending the military stalemate and pursuing a diplomatic solution.

Andrabi said Dar subsequently remained in contact with regional counterparts, including the Turkish foreign minister and his Kuwaiti counterpart, as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach.

The foreign minister is currently in London, where he has held meetings with international officials, according to the Foreign Office.

Pakistan Open to Talks With Afghanistan

On ties with Afghanistan, Andrabi said Islamabad remained prepared to engage in state-to-state talks with the Afghan interim government.

However, he stressed that Kabul would need to provide concrete evidence that it was taking effective action against militant groups operating from its territory.

Pakistan, he said, did not want to shut the door on dialogue, but verbal assurances alone would not be enough. Islamabad expects practical measures demonstrating that Afghan territory will not be used for attacks against Pakistan.

The remarks come as relations between Islamabad and Kabul remain strained over security concerns and allegations of militant activity originating from Afghan soil. Pakistan has repeatedly called on the Afghan authorities to take effective action against groups accused of carrying out attacks inside Pakistan. The Foreign Office has similarly stressed that dialogue with Afghanistan remains possible while security concerns must be addressed.

Islamabad Reaffirms Focus on Diplomacy

The spokesperson said Pakistan would continue engaging regional and international partners to help reduce tensions and prevent further escalation.

Islamabad maintains that negotiations and diplomacy offer the most sustainable route toward resolving regional disputes, while its diplomatic contacts with Iran, the United States, Turkey, Kuwait and Afghanistan remain part of those efforts.