Islamabad: The spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Shafqat Ali Khan, expressed the country’s desire for positive relations with the new U.S. administration.
In a weekly press briefing, Khan clarified that Pakistan is continuing to follow its existing policy regarding Afghan refugees who wish to migrate to the United States, with no changes made to the policy as of now. He noted that the process of relocating Afghan refugees to third countries has been slow, and Pakistan hopes for a quicker transfer of Afghan nationals to these countries.
Regarding the participation of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in the U.S. Presidential inauguration, the Foreign Office spokesperson stated that Pakistan’s ambassador represented the country at the event, and Naqvi did not attend through the U.S. Department of State.
On the recent boat tragedy off the coast of Morocco, Khan mentioned that 22 individuals survived the incident. He expressed gratitude towards Moroccan authorities for their assistance, adding that the Pakistani embassy is in contact with Moroccan officials to facilitate the return of the stranded migrants.
Khan also welcomed the ceasefire in Gaza, urging the international community to create a reconstruction plan for Gaza. He emphasized that the global community must fulfill its responsibilities in seeking a sustainable resolution to the Palestinian issue, reiterating Pakistan’s position that the solution must align with Security Council resolutions and be based on a two-state solution.
On the matter of prisoners between India and Pakistan, Khan stated that Pakistan is prepared to take all necessary steps to resolve the issue. He highlighted that this remains a humanitarian concern and is being repeatedly raised on the diplomatic front, urging both countries to address the issue for the sake of basic human rights.
