Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Tehran next Tuesday to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian. This visit highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen diplomatic and leadership ties between Pakistan and Iran.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized at her weekly briefing that the Prime Minister’s visit underscores the commitment of both nations to enhance their bilateral relations. Additionally, when queried about recent comments by US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu, Spokesperson Baloch reiterated Pakistan’s policy of maintaining balanced relations, stating that Pakistan does not adhere to zero-sum dynamics in international relationships, valuing both its ties with the United States and its strategic partnership with China.
The spokesperson also touched on various other significant diplomatic engagements and issues. She confirmed the arrest of Al-Qaeda operative Amin ul Haq by Pakistani law enforcement in March, noting that this information had been communicated to the United Nations.
Addressing regional human rights concerns, Baloch called on the international community to acknowledge and act against the human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir by India.
Looking ahead, Baloch disclosed that Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi will lead Pakistan’s delegation at the 31st ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The forum will focus on addressing political and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, promoting dialogue and cooperation. The Foreign Secretary is also scheduled to conduct bilateral meetings with other dignitaries during the forum.