Pakistan Denies US Visa Restrictions Reports as Speculation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has categorically denied reports of US visa restrictions, calling them mere speculation with no basis in reality. Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan clarified in his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday that the reports regarding US travel bans were unfounded.

He further stated, “The US State Department and our Foreign Office have already dismissed such claims as speculation,” reported 24NewsHD TV channel reported.

The spokesperson emphasised that issuing travel advisories is a country’s sovereign right, and so far, Pakistan has not received any official communication from the US regarding any new restrictions.

India didn’t condemn Jaffar Express attack

Turning to India’s recent remarks, the FO strongly condemned the anti-Pakistan rhetoric from Indian officials. Reacting to statements by India’s External Affairs Minister, Shafqat Ali Khan said, “India’s hostile stance against Pakistan is counterproductive for regional peace and dialogue.”

He also dismissed the allegations made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a recent podcast, calling them “baseless and misleading.” The FO further added, “India’s involvement in terrorism inside Pakistan is well documented. It is shameful that India has not even condemned the attack on Jaffer Express.”

Speaking on the Kashmir issue, the spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled stance, stating, “The Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains unresolved due to India’s refusal to implement UN Security Council resolutions. No amount of propaganda can hide the human rights violations in occupied Kashmir.”

Shafqat Khan reminded the world that it was India that initially took the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council. Pakistan wants a resolution based on UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The FO spokesperson reiterated that India’s fictitious narrative of victimhood could not hide its involvement in fomenting terrorism on Pakistan’s soil and the state-sanctioned oppression in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

He said that Indian involvement in fanning terrorism in Pakistan and destabilising Balochistan was clear.

Referring to Indian involvement in global assassination plots, he said that not only in Pakistan, India had been sponsoring such unlawful activities in the entire region. “Instead of blaming others, India should reflect on its own record of orchestrating targeted assassinations, subversion and terrorism in foreign territories,” he remarked and pointed out that India had not condemned the recent attack on Jaffar Express in Balochistan.

The spokesperson said that Pakistan was alarmed over the increased frequency of Indian leadership’s unwarranted assertions about Jammu and Kashmir.

He said it was India that took Jammu and Kashmir issue to the United Nations in 1948 so it had no right to blame the Security Council and its erstwhile members for the resolutions that were subsequently adopted. “Repetition of baseless claims cannot deny the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory whose final status is to be determined by its people through a UN-supervised plebiscite, as stipulated in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”

Shafqat Ali Khan said that a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, was essential for a lasting peace in South Asia.

Reiterating Pakistan’s advocacy of constructive engagement and result-oriented dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, he said peace and stability in South Asia had remained hostage to India’s rigid approach and hegemonic ambitions.

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“The anti-Pakistan narrative, emanating from India, vitiates the bilateral environment and impedes the prospects for peace and cooperation. It must stop,” he remarked.

Pak delegation’s visit to Israel controversy

On the issue of a reported Pakistani delegation visiting Israel, the FO spokesperson distanced the government from the matter. “We learnt about this from the media. A private individual claimed on social media to have travelled to Israel, and we are gathering more information.”

He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s stance on Israel remains unchanged—Islamabad does not recognise Israel and continues to support Palestine’s right to self-determination.

Asked to comment on the reports of the visit of some Pakistani individuals to Israel, Shafqat Khan said the foreign ministry had nothing to do with that as the information on the matter was being gathered.

However, he categorically explained that Pakistan’s position on the recognition of Israel and the rights of the Palestinian people was unwavering and unchanged.

Israeli attacks on Gaza condemned

Condemning the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank, Shafqat Ali Khan said, “Israel’s attacks violate international law and the ceasefire agreements. Pakistan stands with the Palestinian people and demands accountability for Israeli war crimes.”

Shafqat Khan condemned Israel’s vicious attacks against the people of West Bank and Gaza, calling it a flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement; international humanitarian law; the UN Charter; and hampers the confidence and faith in the global community and international law.

“Pakistan strongly calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in West Bank, and Gaza; protection of civilians; and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid and assistance. We also call on the international community to increase its efforts to end Israel’s genocidal campaign against the innocent people of Palestine. We call for accountability of Israeli crimes committed in this brutal war, as a crucial step towards restoring international legitimacy.”

PM’s visit to Saudi Arabia

Regarding Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the FO confirmed that he held meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh and thanked him for his continued support of Pakistan.

Apprising the media of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman during his four-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, he said that both leaders had productive discussion on ways to further strengthen Pakistan-Saudi Arabia ties in trade, investment, energy & security. Prime Minister thanked His Royal Highness for the Kingdom’s consistent support to Pakistan.

Afghan refugees issue

On the issue of foreign nationals, particularly Afghan refugees, the spokesperson confirmed that there is no change in Pakistan’s repatriation deadline.

The spokesperson told the media that the deadline for the deportation of illegal foreign nationals was unchanged and reiterated Pakistan’s call for Afghan authorities to act against TTP and ISKP involved in carrying out terrorist activities in Pakistan.

He told the media that the Torkham border had been reopened till April 15 as efforts would continue to seek a permanent solution to the issue in the meantime.

Missile programme

Addressing Pakistan’s defence capabilities, the FO reassured the nation that “Pakistan’s missile and defence programme is purely for security purposes and remains in safe and capable hands.”

Kyrgyz-Tajik border dispute

Finally, he welcomed the resolution of the border dispute between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, expressing hope for lasting regional stability.

He said that Pakistan welcomed the signing of the treaty on delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border, marking the end of a protracted border dispute. We firmly believe that this significant turn of events will open up new possibilities of cooperation and advancement in the region, he added.