ISLAMABAD: A Russian journalist, who was asked to leave a joint press conference by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kolyba on July 20, inquired about the amount of humanitarian aid that Pakistan is sending to the people of Ukraine as a form of solidarity and whether the country has indicated the same to the people of Russia who have been embroiled in the year-long conflict.
This question of the journalist came out during the weekly briefing of the Foreign Office on Friday.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch refrained from answering the question directly, saying that she did not have the details.
“I don’t have exact figures. Pakistan provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine last year. Both Russia and Ukraine are our friends. We have deep ties with the Russian Federation,” he replied to a Russian journalist.
The journalist was expelled from the Bilawal-Koleba press conference in Islamabad on Thursday after which Moscow sought an explanation from Islamabad.
According to reports, ahead of the joint stakeout, Kyiv had requested his hosts that no Russian journalists be present at the venue, but officials were unaware of the presence of a Russian reporter who was later expelled.
Baloch further said during the briefing that the series of visits between Pakistan and the Russian Federation is continuing and said that recently the Chairman of the Senate also visited Moscow where bilateral cooperation was discussed.
“Our engagement with Russia will continue,” he said, highlighting the importance of relations between Islamabad and Moscow.
Commenting on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, he said: “Furthermore, as our foreign minister has said, we are concerned about the ongoing conflict and the citizens on both sides. And we hope that this conflict will be resolved soon based on constructive dialogue and communication.”
Baloch noted that Pakistan is ready to play its role in promoting dialogue, which “we believe is necessary to end this conflict”.
Cyphergate
Meanwhile, the FO declined to comment on a question on the ongoing Cypher controversy, which has raised its head again amid the changing political landscape in the country, after the former prime minister’s principal secretary Azam Khan termed it a “conspiracy” used by the country’s former prime minister Imran Khan to “manipulate a narrative against the establishment and the opposition”.
The spokesman said the FO was not prepared to discuss the “political” aspect of the case.
In response to questions at the Foreign Office’s weekly briefing, the spokesman replied: “This document is a classified document, and Pakistan has laws, including the Official Secrets Act, that do not allow me to make a statement about its contents or its location. I am not at liberty to discuss it.”
“So, unfortunately, I cannot answer your questions. Other aspects of the questions you have raised are political in nature. And you know the Foreign Office is not interested in political matters. We would not like to do that again.”
Baloch said that there are several statements of the Ministry of External Affairs which are on record and can be quoted in their transcripts. “Our position is very clear. And this ministry has nothing more to add.”
‘Terrorism is serious concern to Pakistan’
When asked to comment on Kabul’s statements about the TTP’s continued terrorist operations against Pakistan from inside Afghanistan, the spokesman said the issue of terrorism was “a matter of grave concern to Pakistan”.
“We are awaiting the reading of the special envoy’s meetings with the Afghan authorities, which are still ongoing. I can share my version only after the visit and when we have the details of what happened in the meetings. But I can assure you that all aspects of mutual cooperation and concern are on the agenda.”
“Pakistan has raised this issue with the Afghan authorities on several occasions and in every important meeting between Pakistan and the Afghan transitional authorities. We have discussed the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil,” he said.
In this regard, he pointed out that Pakistan has been and will continue to raise issues of concern with the Afghan authorities.
“We understand that Afghanistan has made certain commitments, including in the Tripartite Agreement between Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. The outcome document, which you all have seen, clearly states that Afghanistan will not allow any individual or group, including the TTP and ETIM, to pose a threat to regional security,” the spokesperson maintained.
Baloch added that Islamabad hopes that Afghanistan will honor the commitments it has made to Pakistan and the international community and “ensure that its territory is not used for terrorism against Pakistan”.
‘Iran, very close neighbour’
Commenting on the country’s relations with Iran, the spokesman pointed out that Iran is a very close neighbor and friend of Pakistan with extensive historical ties.
“These ties are multi-faceted; they span the economic domain, the political domain, connectivity, science and technology, education, culture, and defense and security. Pakistan’s relevant departments have developed strong ties with their counterparts in Iran.
“The Chief of Army Staff’s visit was in the context of his meetings with Iran’s military leadership at the invitation of Iranian defense officials to discuss defense cooperation. In Tehran, he met with the Chief of General Staff and military commanders and discussed bilateral issues of security and defense concern,” he said.
Baloch also mentioned Foreign Secretary Dr. Asad Majeed Khan’s recent visit to Iran and mentioned his extensive talks with Iranian officials including his counterpart.
“He also met the Foreign Minister. Those meetings were wide-ranging and covered all aspects of our bilateral relations, from political, economic, trade, communications, defence, science and technology to all aspects of Pakistan-Iran relations. Our friendship with Iran is historic and has great potential for the future.”
