ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly denounced the “terror attacks” across Lebanon, where over 30 were killed and thousands wounded in waves of electronic device explosions, the Foreign Office (FO) stated on Thursday.
Addressing a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that they strongly condemned attacks in Lebanon. She said that use of cyber and electronic means to carryout terrorism in foreign nation is reprehensible.
She said that they denounced terrorism in all shapes and manifestations and offered their condolences to the families of the victims, the people and the government of Lebanon.
Lebanon’s hospitals were overwhelmed on Tuesday as pagers used by Hezbollah detonated, killing around 12 people, including two kids, and injuring nearly 3,000 others in an unprecedented attack blamed on Israel.
IIOJK Election Carries no Legal Value: Pakistan
She described the election exercise in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as farcical, reminding New Delhi that given the internationally recognized disputed status of IIOJK, any so-called polls conducted in pursuance of the Indian constitution carries no legal value in the eyes of global law.
She added the relevant UNSC resolutions clearly state that final disposition of Jammu and Kashmir dispute will be made in accordance with the will of the people of Kashmir expressed through a UN supervised referendum. Any other process, cannot, therefore, serve as a substitute to the grant of the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir.
Pakistan Rejects Acting Afghan Consul General’s Explanation
Replying to a question, the foreign office spokesperson has rejected Acting Afghan Consul General’s explanation for not standing during the Pakistani national anthem at an event in Peshawar, terming the action a violation of diplomatic norms.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Pakistan considers the act of the Acting Afghan Consul General as reprehensible, saying this act has hurt the sentiments of the people of Pakistan. The spokesperson said Pakistan has conveyed its strong protest to Kabul on the matter. She said that decisions will be taken after due internal discussions and conclusion of talks with the Afghan government. She further said Pakistan reserves the right to take action in accordance with diplomatic practices and norms.
Islamabad committed to full implementation of Indus Water Treaty
Replying to the questions of media persons regarding India’s notice seeking reassessment of the Indus Water Treaty, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Islamabad considers the Indus Water Treaty as significant one and expresses hope that New Delhi will also comply with its provisions.
The spokesperson pointed out that the two sides have a mechanism of Indus Water Commissioners and all matters pertaining to this treaty can be discussed there.
