Tag: Pakistan Foreign Office

  • Pakistan finds EU diplomats’ letter to condemn Russia ‘unacceptable’

    Pakistan finds EU diplomats’ letter to condemn Russia ‘unacceptable’

    The Pakistan Foreign Office has taken a strong exception to a statement by European Union (EU) envoys on Pakistan’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine War in a weekly press briefing.

    A few days earlier, envoys of 22 countries — including EU member states — to Pakistan had jointly asked Pakistan to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the resolution which was brought in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) emergency session.

    “As heads of mission to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, we urge Pakistan to join us in condemning Russia’s actions,” said a joint statement signed by envoys from 22 countries.

    However, Pakistan abstained from voting to censure Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

    A spokesperson of the Foreign Office, Asim Iftikhar, said that this showed an “unacceptable attitude” by EU diplomats.

    He said, “This attitude is unacceptable and Pakistan has conveyed its concern to the embassies.”

    He clarified that Pakistan pursued a clear-minded foreign policy and that the country wants balanced and broad-based relations with all countries, including the United States and Europe.

    He also stated that the Pakistan embassy in Ukraine is working to facilitate Pakistani nationals, including students, to evacuate them to secure places.

  • Pakistan declines United States invitation to Democracy Summit

    Pakistan has turned down an invitation by the United States (US) to the summit for democracy which was going to be held virtually from December 9-December 10.

    The Pakistan Foreign Office thanked the United States for the invitation to participate in the Democracy Summit. According to the statement issued by the Spokesperson. Pakistan said that they would engage with the country on a wide range of issues “at an opportune time in the future.”

    The statement further added that Pakistan is committed to promoting democracy, eradicating corruption, and safeguarding the human rights of all our citizens.

    “We value our partnership with the U.S. which we wish to expand both bilaterally as well as in terms of regional and international cooperation. We remain in contact with the U.S. on a range of issues and believe that we can engage on this subject at an opportune time in the future,” he added.

    The statement concluded, “Pakistan will, meanwhile, continue to support all efforts aimed towards strengthening dialogue, constructive engagement, and international cooperation for the advancement of our shared goals.”

    According to the official website of the State Department, President Biden will be hosting the virtual meetings on December 9-December 10. He will discuss issues regarding democracy with leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector.

    The statement stated, “The summit will focus on challenges and opportunities facing democracies and will provide a platform for leaders to announce both individual and collective commitments, reforms, and initiatives to defend democracy, and human rights at home and abroad.”

    The summit will be based on key important points which include defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting corruption, and promoting respect for human rights.

    In this summit, leaders will be persuaded to share their policies and plan of action for reforms and initiatives to curb the issues that meet the goals of the summit.

    Pakistan is being criticised by some for not attending the summit, with people saying that Pakistan has refused to attend because President Biden has not called PM Khan since he came to power.

    Afghanistan has not been invited to the summit and India’s PM Modi will be attending and speaking about commitment to democracy