The Foreign Office on Friday dismissed reports of a possible meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in China, confirming that no such engagement is scheduled.
At the weekly press briefing, FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will leave for Bangladesh tomorrow, with the visit aimed at strengthening trade relations and boosting counterterrorism cooperation.
He reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the so-called “Greater Israel” plan and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.
Commenting on the recent visit of the Chinese foreign minister, Khan said Pakistan apprised Beijing of ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir and lauded China’s consistent support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
He noted that the sixth Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue, held in Islamabad, focused on deepening cooperation under CPEC Phase II, particularly in trade, investment, and energy, while also covering defence, education, and cultural exchanges.
The FO spokesperson also highlighted the recent trilateral meeting in Kabul between Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan, attended by FM Dar, Chinese FM Wang Yi, and the Afghan foreign minister. Discussions centered on political, economic, and security cooperation, with the three countries stressing joint efforts for regional stability and exploring CPEC’s potential expansion into Afghanistan.
Pakistan reiterated its support for Afghanistan’s peace and development, while China assured continued assistance in the country’s reconstruction.