ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Islamabad wanted India to end its suppression in occupied Kashmir and desist from supporting terrorist activities inside Pakistan to destabilise country. During her year-end briefing, she said Pakistan was interested in peace and dialogue and it was up to Indian authorities to take responsible position to improve relations.

Spokesperson said recent tours of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were demonstration of international community’s interest to engage with Pakistan and to develop understanding on range of issues. She said Pakistan was also interested in expanding and strengthening its friendship around world.

“With enhanced interactions, visits and exchanges, we can strengthen our friendship, cooperation and dialogue with international community,” she said.

Baloch said Pakistan was grateful to various countries and multilateral financial institutions and organisations for providing humanitarian assistance for flood-affected people of Pakistan. While replying to a question on Afghanistan, she said Islamabad had been engaging with Kabul authorities on all matters, including border situation and security of diplomats and missions and terrorist threat its Pakistan faces. She said Afghan-interim authorities had assured to resolve all such issues soon. She said Pakistan has natural stake in peace and stability in Afghanistan and it would continue to engage with neighbouring country.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 30 2022

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