Latest news with #Shafqat
Business Recorder
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Sweden resumes visa services for Pakistanis
ISLAMABAD: Sweden announced to resume visa services for Pakistanis through its Embassy in Islamabad two years after it was closed amid security concerns following massive protests over desecration of Holy Quran, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan confirmed on Monday. 'Following the Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and Sweden, held in Stockholm on 2nd July 2025, the Government of Sweden has announced the resumption of visa services in Islamabad. This will facilitate Pakistanis seeking to visit Sweden for short stays,' the spokesperson added. Effective 7th July 2025, the FO statement reads that Pakistani nationals can apply for a Schengen visa from within Pakistan for visits to Sweden of up to 90 days. 'Pakistan welcomes this positive development, which reflects the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries,' Ambassador Shafqat remarked. The Pakistani delegation to the Bilateral Consultations in Stockholm was led by the Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe), while the Swedish side was headed by the Director General for Global Affairs from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Embassy of Sweden in Islamabad had shut down its operation in Pakistan indefinitely on 12th April 2023 citing the security situation as the main reason. Sweden had also pulled its staff from the Embassy for their safety and security. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan concerned over India's continued military build-up
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) is deeply concerned over India's continued military build-up, which appears to be configured against Pakistan and poses a grave threat to regional stability. 'Pakistan is fully prepared to deal with any threat or eventuality,' FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated this while responding to queries during weekly media briefing on Friday, regarding India's intention to procure latest military equipment, modern drones and missile technology worth billions of dollars to use it against Pakistan. He also rejected Indian allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack without any credible and unfounded evidence. To another question, Ambassador Shafqat said Pakistan also strongly condemns the Indian External Affairs Minister's statement, saying, 'No country can allow violations of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.' India panel starts process to buy arms worth $12.3bn Remarks by the Indian EAM regarding nuclear blackmail reflect India's own fears and insecurities, the FO spokesperson said, adding Pakistan remains committed to abiding by all mutual agreements with India. He also reaffirmed Islamabad's stance that India's decision to unilaterally hold the Treaty in abeyance is illegal. The recent verdict of the Court of Arbitration (CoA) has further reinforced and vindicated Pakistan's position. 'There is no complete hiatus in Pakistan-US relations. The bilateral relationship has been strong and continues to strengthen over time,' he remarked. Ambassador Shafqat stressed that Pakistan reiterated its consistent and unwavering support to China, reiterating its adherence to the One-China Policy. Pakistan fully supports China on the Tibet issue and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People's Republic of China. He said the idea of creating an alternative to SAARC is speculative and unfounded. 'It is India that has rendered SAARC dysfunctional. One country continues to block the holding of the SAARC Summit in Islamabad, while all other member states are supportive.' The Foreign Office; however, categorically denies any contact or meeting between Pakistani and Indian National Security Advisors (NSAs) on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in China. Regarding accepting Afghan Interim Government in Afghanistan, the FO spokesperson said, 'We have noted reports of Russian recognition of the Kabul administration. No decision has so far been made by Islamabad to recognise interim set up in Afghanistan. Pakistan maintains cordial and warm relations with Russia. However, this is a matter between two sovereign states.' Pakistan also strongly condemns the rising trend of Islamophobia in India. The FO spokesperson added the Foreign Minister of Turkiye, Hakan Fidan, is expected to visit Islamabad soon. However, dates are currently being finalised. To another question, he said India remains involved in patronising terrorism within Pakistan. Pakistan prefers dialogue and diplomacy over confrontation and remains committed to peaceful regional engagement, he highlighted. In an opening statement, the FO spokesperson said the Government of Pakistan has called for immediate release and repatriation of all those Pakistani prisoners and fishermen, who have completed their respective sentence and whose national status stands confirmed. A request for special consular access has also been made for all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including the physically- and mentally-challenged prisoners for expeditious confirmation of their national status, he pointed out. The Government of India has been urged to provide consular access to all those prisoners to whom consular access is still awaited. The Indian side has also been urged to ensure safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian custody. 'The Government of Pakistan remains committed to addressing humanitarian matters as a priority. It will continue its endeavors to ensure early return of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails,' Ambassador Shafqat emphasised. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan urges Iran Israel to uphold ceasefire
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire understanding between Iran and Israel, and called on the relevant parties to uphold the ceasefire. 'We also welcome and support the efforts aimed at reviving dialogue and diplomacy in the region,' Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement. Pakistan believes that peace and stability in the region can only be achieved through strict adherence to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and by refraining from the use of force, he added. Ambassador Shafqat reiterated that Pakistan will continue to support all efforts in this regard. US President Donald J Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu separately announced the development following Iran's missile-strikes on America's military bases in Qatar and Iraq in response to Washington's attack on three nuclear sites in Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow last Sunday. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan condemns rising Islamophobia in India
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in Islamophobic incidents and human rights violations across India. Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan stated this while responding to media queries about increase in Islamophobic incidents across India. Pakistan calls upon the Government of India to uphold the rights and safety of all its citizens, regardless of faith, the spokesperson added. 'The targeting of Muslims through hate speech, discriminatory actions, and state complicity is a matter of serious concern for the international community,' Ambassador Shafqat remarked. Foreign office summons Indian diplomat in Islamabad At a time when restraint and reconciliation are most needed, the deliberate incitement of religious hatred for political or ideological purposes violates international human rights obligations and vitiates the prospects for communal harmony, and regional stability.' Earlier this month, New Delhi-based Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) reported that over 184 hate crimes targeting Muslims were recorded across India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Each case has been documented with verified sources and relevant details in our updated report. According to the Association report, Pahalgam terror attack spiked incidents of hate crime targeted at Muslims. This is an updated version of the previous report, with incidents dating from 22 April 2025 to 8 May 2025. To access data about hate crime incidents. Around 184 hate crimes were reported across India. 106 of these were linked to the Pahalgam terror attack, with the latter serving as the triggering factor. A minimum of 316 individuals were affected, physically or otherwise; this figure is an estimate and the actual number is likely higher due to underreporting and lack of documentation, APCR pointed out. The acts had common patterns that were neither random nor isolated. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Modi's allegations stoking regional tensions: FO
ISLAMABAD: Urging the Indian leadership to exercise responsibility and restraint, Pakistan has categorically rejected the baseless, provocative, and irresponsible allegations made by the Indian prime minister during a recent public address in Rajasthan, Foreign Office (FO) spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan told a weekly media briefing on Friday. The India premier remarks, he said replete with distortions, misrepresentations and inflammatory rhetoric, are clearly aimed at stoking regional tensions for narrow political gains. 'Such statements not only reflect a deliberate attempt to mislead the public but also violate the norms of responsible statecraft,'' FO Spokesperson added. Resorting to threats and boasting about military action against a sovereign nation is a grave breach of the United Nations Charter and established principles of international law, Ambassador Shafqat said, adding this dangerous approach undermines regional peace and stability. Pakistan remains a consistent and proactive partner in the global fight against terrorism. Any insinuation seeking to associate Pakistan with acts of terrorism is factually incorrect and patently misleading. It is a tactic often employed to divert attention from India's own internal challenges, as well as its repressive policies in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The spokesperson; however, remarked that India's attempts to mask its serious human rights violations are well-documented and well-recognised by the international community. The plight of the Kashmiri people and their just struggle for self-determination cannot be obscured by aggressive rhetoric and political deflection. Escalatory statements and belligerent posturing serve no purpose other than exacerbating tensions. Rather than resorting to fictitious narratives and warmongering for electoral mileage, India should demonstrate maturity by resolving outstanding disputes through peaceful dialogue and diplomacy. Pakistan remains firmly committed to peaceful coexistence, regional stability, and constructive engagement. However, our desire for peace should not be misconstrued as weakness. The people of Pakistan and its armed forces are fully prepared and capable of defending the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any misadventure or aggression will be met with a resolute and proportionate response. Pakistan has demonstrated its resolve in the past and will do so again, if required. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
