Foreign Office has stated that Pakistan is desirous of building peaceful relations with all countries including the neighbors. Responding to the queries of media persons at her weekly news briefing regarding relations with India after formation of a new government there, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan has consistently been advocating for constructive dialogue and engagement to resolve all outstanding issues including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. However, she said Indian actions of 5th August 2019 in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have vitiated the bilateral environment. The spokesperson said Pakistan believes in peaceful coexistence and it wants peace and stability in the region. She said Pakistan has been acting in a responsible manner notwithstanding the difficulties and rhetoric coming from India. She expressed hope that India would take steps to create a conducive environment for advancement of peace and dialogue and resolution of longstanding disputes for the mutual benefit of peoples of Pakistan and India.

The spokesperson said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will pay a one day visit to Istanbul to attend the extraordinary meeting of the D-8 Council of the Foreign Ministers. The meeting is being held to discuss the situation in Gaza at the invitation of Foreign Minister of Turkiye Hakan Fidan. The Foreign Ministers will deliberate on the shared responsibility of international community to bring an urgent and unconditional ceasefire and an end to the inhuman and unjustified war on the people of Gaza. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the Deputy Prime Minister will represent Pakistan's stance on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the urgency of the unconditional ceasefire, lifting of the siege and humanitarian relief for the Palestinian people. He will also call for the unified international efforts to bring an end to the rage against the people of Gaza and the war crime being perpetuated by the Israeli occupation forces.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan