Latest news with #ShafqatAliKhan
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan welcomes UNSG decision
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan welcomes the decision announced by the United Nations Secretary General to remove its references from the Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, Foreign Office confirmed on Friday. This significant outcome is a testament to the Government of Pakistan's constructive, sustained, and intensive engagement with the United Nations, including close cooperation with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG?CAAC). The decision reflects international recognition of the strong institutional, legislative, and policy measures implemented by Pakistan to protect and advance the rights and well?being of children. It is an affirmation of Pakistan's firm commitment to aligning its national legal and institutional frameworks with international norms and best practices for safeguarding children affected by conflict and violence. FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement that Pakistan reaffirms its steadfast commitment to collaborate closely with the United Nations to enhance and strengthen efforts for protecting and promoting children's rights, ensuring a safer and brighter future for generations to come. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Palestine, IIOJK: Pakistan concerned over systemic torture
ISLAMABAD: Expressing serious concern, Pakistan said the people of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continued to be subjected to the worst forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the occupying powers to suppress their right to self-determination. 'Pakistan remains gravely concerned at the widespread and systematic use of torture as an instrument of oppression in situations of foreign occupation,' Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated this in a statement on Thursday issued on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The spokesperson added, 'Pakistan stands in solidarity with the victims of torture worldwide and reaffirms its continued commitment to eradicating torture and upholding human dignity.' Gunmen kill dozens of civilians in IIOJK He remarked that Islam upholds the sanctity and dignity of every human being. Any act of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment is incompatible with the values of justice, mercy, and compassion that are at the core of Islamic teachings, he asserted. Guided by these values and its international obligations, Ambassador Khan reiterated Pakistan remains committed to eradicating torture and strengthening protections for all individuals. Legal reforms, institutional safeguards, and oversight mechanisms continue to be strengthened by Pakistan to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law, the spokesperson said, adding measures are also being taken to provide victims with medical, legal, and psycho-social support. On this day, Pakistan reiterates its call on the international community to condemn the crimes of these occupying powers and to hold them accountable, in addition to helping end the plight of the victims of their torture and oppression. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. It marks the moment when in 1987 the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment came into effect. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- 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
7 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan didn't seek ceasefire: FO
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday refuted India's assertion that it had requested a ceasefire following Indian aggression on May 10. 'We categorically reject claims that Pakistan sought a ceasefire following the Indian aggression'. Spokesperson of the Foreign Office Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan stated this while responding to the claims in Indian media that Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan requested a ceasefire with New Delhi. In response to media queries regarding claims in Indian media, the spokesperson said the Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister, has in his media interviews and statements, explained that Pakistan responded decisively to Indian aggression in exercise of its right to self-defence. 'Friendly states, including Saudi Arabia, and particularly the United States, played a crucial role in facilitating the ceasefire between Pakistan and India,' Ambassador Khan added. India's Modi maintains there was no US mediation in ceasefire with Pakistan The sequence of events clearly demonstrates that Pakistan did not initiate or ask anyone for a ceasefire but agreed to it when around 0815 am on 10th May 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the DPM/ FM, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and informed that India is ready to ceasefire if Pakistan is willing, he pointed out. The FO spokesperson asserted the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed Pakistan's acceptance and later around 9 am Saudi FM Prince Faisal also called DPM and informed the same about India and sought same confirmation which Secretary of State Marco Rubio had sought earlier. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan highlights India's ‘brazen disregard' for international law over Indus treaty stance
KARACHI: Pakistan on Saturday accused India of showing a 'brazen disregard' for international agreements after New Delhi said it would not restore the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty and divert river waters for internal use. India put into 'abeyance' its participation in the 1960 treaty, which governs the distribution of the Indus river system between the two countries, after 26 civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir were killed in an April gun attack. India blamed Pakistan for the incident, though it denied any involvement. The accord remains dormant since then despite a ceasefire agreed upon by the two nuclear-armed neighbors last month following their worst fighting in decades. Islamabad's statement over the issue came after Indian Home Minister Amit Shah gave an interview to the media, saying New Delhi would not reinstate the treaty that guarantees water access for 80 percent of Pakistan's farms through rivers originating in India. 'The statement reflects a brazen disregard for the sanctity of international agreements,' Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said in a statement. 'The Indus Waters Treaty is not a political arrangement, but an international treaty with no provision for unilateral action.' 'India's illegal announcement to hold the Treaty in abeyance constitutes a clear violation of international law, the provisions of the Treaty itself, and the fundamental principles governing inter-state relations,' he continued. 'Such conduct sets a reckless and dangerous precedent — one that undermines the credibility of international agreements and raises serious questions about the reliability and trustworthiness of a state that openly refuses to fulfill its legal obligations.' The statement further said India's attempt to 'weaponize water for political ends' was irresponsible and in violation of established norms of state behavior. It called on India to 'immediately rescind its unilateral and unlawful stance' and restore the 'full and unhindered implementation' of the treaty. 'Pakistan remains firmly committed to the Treaty and will take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and entitlements under it,' the spokesperson added. Earlier in the day, the Indian minister said in his interview New Delhi would divert water by constructing a canal, and that Pakistan would be 'starved' of water it had been receiving 'unjustifiably.' While Islamabad has pursued diplomatic channels to raise awareness of the issue globally, it has also warned that any Indian attempt to block river flows will be treated as 'an act of war.' With input from Reuters
