Islamabad, 16 August 2024 (TDI): Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has clarified that no talks were taking place with India on bilateral trade that was suspended in 2019 after it changed the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s status (IIOJK).
While speaking during a weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Islamabad “would continue to extend political, diplomatic, and moral support to Kashmiris for just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute according to the UN Security Council Resolutions.”
Pakistan had cut bilateral ties with India after New Delhi revoked Article 370 of its constitution that granted a special status to occupied Kashmir.
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Baloch recalled the “illegal and unilateral steps taken by India” in the IIOJK, saying Pakistan had not changed and would not change its position on bilateral talks with India following that measure.
“Pakistan had, on various occasions and forums, expressed its concern about India’s disregard of international norms and practices, with regards to the safety and security of sensitive materials, including nuclear and radioactive materials,” she said.
She added that Pakistan has raised concerns at various forums of the UN, including the First Committee of the UN General Assembly.
To a question about Pakistani prisoners in India, the FO spokesperson said Islamabad had made multiple statements.
“What we have shared in the past is that Pakistan regularly, twice every year, exchanges a list of prisoners with India and we call on the Indian authorities to provide access to Pakistanis incarcerated in Indian prisons. Occasionally we get that consular access. We hope that this will be frequent.”
