Transcript of the Weekly Media Briefing by the Spokesperson on Friday, 24th October 2025

Assalam-o-Alaikum,

Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

First, we begin with a roundup of this week's activities.

Firstly, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Poland is on a two-day visit to Islamabad, Pakistan from 23-24 October 2025. Upon his arrival at the Ministry, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, warmly welcomed him. The two leaders had a tête-à-tête, followed by delegation level talks, signing of two MoUs and a joint press stakeout which most of you attended.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Poland also called on the Prime Minister. During the meeting, the Prime Minister recalled cordial and friendly Pakistan-Poland ties spanning over decades. He lauded Poland's high level of industrialization and progress. The Prime Minister expressed desire to further expand bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, defense, education, labor, and other areas of mutual interest.

Regional and international developments, including peace efforts in the Middle East and Ukraine were also discussed. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue, diplomacy and relevant UN resolutions. He underscored Pakistan's consistent position of upholding international law, humanitarian principles and the UN charter.

The Prime Minister conveyed his warm regards to Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland and extended an invitation to him to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

The Polish DPM and FM expressed Poland's long strong interest in deepening its engagement with Pakistan in diverse fields while sharing that Polish investment in Pakistan's petrochemical sector was over U$S 0.5 billion, he suggested that Pakistan could also benefit from Polish expertise in water treatment. He appreciated Pakistan's role in promoting peace, regional stability and progress.

Both sides agreed to enhance contacts to further consolidate cooperation.

This week, our Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, had three important telephone conversations. Last night, he spoke with Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders discussed bilateral, multilateral issues of mutual interests as well as recent regional and global developments and agreed to stay closely engaged.

Secondly, the DPM/FM had a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud on 21st October 2025. Building on their previous discussions, the two leaders reviewed recent regional developments, including Gaza and Palestine and reaffirmed their shared commitment to promote peace and stability in the region while agreeing to stay closely engaged on matters of mutual interest.

Thirdly, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister also received a telephone call from the Foreign Minister of Morocco, Mr. Nasser Bourita, on 21st October 2025. The two leaders recalled their recent bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and reiterated their strong commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Foreign Minister Bourita was invited to visit Pakistan which he graciously accepted.

We welcome the agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, finalized in Doha, Qatar on 19th October 2025, as a first step in ensuring regional peace and stability. We deeply appreciate the constructive role played by brotherly countries, Qatar and Türkiye.

The agreement came as the result of delegation-level talks held between Pakistan and representatives of the Afghan Taliban Regime in Doha. Minister of Defense Khwaja Asif led our delegation. Talks focused on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan stemming from Afghanistan and the restoration of peace and stability along Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Pakistan also looks forward to the establishment of a concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism in the next meeting to be hosted by Türkiye in Istanbul on 25th October 2025 to address the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan and prevent any further loss of life of Pakistanis.

As a responsible state committed to regional peace and stability, Pakistan does not seek escalation but urges the Afghan Taliban authorities to honor their commitment to the international community and address Pakistan's legitimate security concerns by taking verifiable action against terrorist entities, including the FAK/TTP and FAH/BLA.

Now moving to Arab-Israel.

Pakistan strongly condemns Israel's attempt to extend its so-called "sovereignty" over parts of the occupied West Bank, including illegal Israeli settlements through a draft law introduced in the legislature of the occupying power. These actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination.

Pakistan reiterates its commitment to working with regional and international partners to uphold the right of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and ensure peace, justice, and dignity of the Palestinians.

We also reaffirm our unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, including the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous state of Palestine based on pre 1967 border with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

And as you must have noticed on 22nd October 2025, the advisory opinion of International Court of Justice was issued which we welcomed. The advisory opinion was on the obligations of Israel in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations and other organization and third states in and in relation to the occupied Palestinian territory.

The ICJ has unequivocally established that Israel, as the occupying power, is under legal obligation to facilitate and not obstruct humanitarian relief operations by the United Nations and its entities, especially by the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The opinion also reaffirmed that:

i. Israel's obligation to ensure that the Palestinians receive essential food supplies, water, shelter, fuel, and medical care, and;
ii. Israel has no right to unilaterally extend its domestic laws to occupy territory in any manner that would impede or undermine the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is the fourth ruling by ICJ on Palestine since January 2024. You may recall previous rulings, including on genocide in Gaza, on Rafah crossing, on Israeli occupation and settlement and now the fourth one on humanitarian assistance.

Pakistan participated in written and oral proceedings of the case before the ICJ. We call for the immediate and full implementation of the ICJ's advisory opinion.

Building on this ICJ's decision in a joint statement yesterday, the OIC and the State of Palestine with Pakistan, Jordan, Indonesia, Türkiye, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Oman, The Gambia, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Egypt, Nigeria, and the Arab League issued a joint statement condemning, in strongest terms, the approval of Israeli Knesset of the two draft laws aiming to impose so-called Israel sovereignty over the occupied West Bank and on Israeli illegal colonial settlements as a blatant violations of international law, the United Nations Security Council resolution, particularly Resolution 2334, which condemns all Israeli measures aimed at altering the demographic composition, character, and status of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), including the status of East Jerusalem. They reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory.

The joint statement welcomed the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice issued a day prior to the issuance of this joint statement.

Moving on the domestic front, ladies and gentlemen, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has achieved a major milestone with the successful launch of Pakistan's first Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) from the Chinese Satellite Launch Centre.

The satellite will enable precise monitoring and analysis of land use, vegetation health, water resources, and urban development. It will enhance national capacities in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, urban planning, and disaster management. This will improve resource management and strengthen resilience to climate-related challenges, it will identify geo-hazard risks, thereby promoting sustainable infrastructure development.

The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister commended the scientists of this project.

On 16th October 2025, Pakistan's Minister of Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan Sahab, along with the Minister of Transport of Ethiopia, Mr. Alemu Feyisa, inaugurated the 5th Pak-Africa Trade Development Conference & Single Country Exhibition in Addis Ababa. Several Ethiopian State Ministers attended the opening ceremony of the event which featured over 110 Pakistani exporters from 11 sectors under Pakistan's key-initiative of "Engage Africa Policy" which aims to strengthen economic, trade, and investment ties with Africa, a region rapidly emerging as a global economic powerhouse.

On sidelines of the event, the Minister of Commerce, held a bilateral meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssof, at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis. The two leaders resolved to work towards institutionalizing cooperation in the fields of Agri-tech and food security, healthcare, education/skills development, trade and investment. The Chairperson of the African Union was extended an invitation to visit to Pakistan which he gladly accepted.

Pakistan, ladies and gentlemen, took part in the 19th Mid-Term Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), held from 15-16 October 2025 in Kampala, Uganda, under the theme "Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence." Pakistan delegation was led by Special Secretary for multilateral UN affairs, Nabil Munir.

In Pakistan's national statement, Special Secretary Nabil Munir emphasized NAM's vital role in promoting peace and development amid global challenges, including the unresolved disputes of Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine and the climate crisis. He reaffirmed Pakistan's support for NAM's principal stance on the right to self-determination for people under foreign occupation and condemned rising Islamophobia and war rhetoric in South Asia.

On the sidelines of the NAM Meeting, Special Secretary Nabeel Munir held meetings with the Foreign Minister of Uganda, H.E. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar, and other NAM leaders.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of Kampala Declaration and a comprehensive outcome document, which recognized Pakistan's contributions to peace and stability in the Middle East.

And finally, ladies and gentlemen, Pakistan, this week, conveys its heartiest congratulations to H.E. Madame Sanae Takaichi on her election as the Prime Minister of Japan and the appointment of H.E. Motegi Toshimitsu as the Foreign Minister of Japan. We look forward to working closely with Japan to further strengthen the enduring friendship and cooperation between our two countries.

I thank you all and I now open the floor for questions.

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(Mateen Haider): Today is the 24th of October which is quite significant as it is the United Nations Day and also the day when the foundation of Jammu and Kashmir was laid. The Jammu and Kashmir dispute has been one of the oldest disputes on the UN agenda. Both of these are interconnected. On the anniversary of the United Nations, do you think this forum is still effective? If so, what are your hopes for the UN in addressing the oldest issues on its agenda, i.e.: Palestine and the Jammu and Kashmir Dispute. And on Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the territory has been under a continuous threat by the Indian forces. There have been statements by the Indian military and the political leadership of India, claiming to take over the territory by force. They have further alleged that terror camps are based inside Azad Jammu and Kashmir against whom India will carry out strikes. So, I would like your comment on these interconnected issues.

Spokesperson: Yes, you are right, the UN Day is interconnected with foundation of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, both in October and by that extension, the landing of Indian troops in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir in late October of 1947.

These are significant days in terms of their resonance today. United Nations Security resolutions confirm the status of Kashmir as a disputed territory under international law. The importance of UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir has not faded away. On the contrary, these resolutions now resonate more with the need for peace given the growing threats emanating from India, which you mentioned in your second half of the question. Regarding those threats, let me underscore that we take such threats very seriously.

Let me also reassure that we have robust defense preparedness to thwart any attack on Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are as patriotic fully as any other people in any other part of Pakistan. So, India's threats to forcefully annex or subjugate that territory are quite hollow from both military and political point of views.

(Muhammad Saleh Zaafir, The News): Talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan will be taking place tomorrow in Istanbul. I would like to ask you about the format and agenda of these talks along with the composition of delegations leading the talks. Secondly, on a different note, the Prime Minister will be proceeding on a visit to Saudi Arabia early next week, I wish to know if the Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, will be accompanying the Prime Minister?

Spokesperson: The talks in Istanbul follow the talks in Doha. So, in those talks, the basic focus was to stop the terrorist attacks from Afghan soil into Pakistan. And in order to do that, we should have a verifiable, empirical mechanism to ascertain that the Afghan Taliban Regime in Kabul is taking concrete actions to stop such attacks. As a result of those talks, the ceasefire came into effect which, by and large, still stands. As such, this is a marker of the positive achievement of the talks in Doha.
We are taking part in the second round of talks in Istanbul with the same sincerity of purpose, with the same sincerity of intent with which we participated in Doha.

The Prime Minister's visit to Saudi Arabia has a significant economic/investment component. In that sense, the visit will lead to concretize the already agreed projects between the two countries. The visit will also chart the work on economic projects on the horizon.
With regard to the exact composition of the delegation, sir, I am not aware of it.

(Syeda Qurat ul Ain, Independent Urdu): Adding to what Mr. Saleh has asked, what are Pakistan's expectations regarding tomorrow's talks and did Pakistan achieve its objectives for the first round of talks?

Spokesperson: Pakistan's expectation is that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorist attacks against Pakistan. If you look at post-Doha, or in the run-up to Istanbul talks, you would see that ceasefire has, by and large, held itself. There has been no major full-scale terrorist attack, emanating from Afghan soil, in Pakistan in the last two-three days. So, in effect Doha talks and outcome were fruitful. We would like the trend to continue in Istanbul and post-Istanbul.

(Anwer Abbas, 24 News HD): I would like to know that during the talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban Regime which were held recently and are going to be held again on 25th October 2025, we did not see Ambassador Sadiq Khan who is the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister/Minister of State as well as Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan. Need your comments on it. Secondly, who will be leading the Pakistan delegation in tomorrow's talks?

Spokesperson: I do not have any information on the composition of the Pakistan delegation. I am not aware if Ambassador Sadiq Khan was in Doha, or if he is planning to go to Istanbul, but I am sure that with his experience, his insights and his inputs in deliberations are taken into account irrespective of his physical presence in those two cities or not.

(Aijaz Ahmed, GNN): Yesterday, I saw a tweet and a statement of the Afghan's Defence Minister in which he said that there was no agreement but rather just an understanding in Doha. A similar statement was given by Zabiullah Mujahid. Moreover, a statement from Mullah Haibatullah has issued instructions regarding the building of a dam on Kunar River the water from which streams into River Kabul which flows into Pakistan. So, would Pakistan, being a lower riparian state, be affected by the construction of this new dam? Secondly, I would like your comment on Afghan transit trade and trade closure as there are some reports which state that Pakistan is ready but requires certain guarantees from Afghanistan or would the trade resume after the talks in Istanbul?

Spokesperson: We do not read too much into the nomenclature ascribed to the Doha Agreement by Taliban, whether it is an agreement or a truce or a treaty. The fact is that a substantive document was finalized is commendable. Frankly, whatever name Taliban give it, it does not matter much.

Regarding dam on River Kunar, I have seen the tweet you referred. We are ascertaining the details. But generally trans-boundary rivers are governed by international law. In such matter, Pakistan is both an upper and lower riparian. So, we will follow this matter.

(Naveed Siddiqui, Business Recorder): Major border crossing points like Chaman, Angur Ada, and Torkham are still closed, the impact of which is resulting in losses in millions of dollars for the national economy. What is the reason behind this closure despite the ceasefire agreement in Doha? When are both countries expected to reopen the border crossings? Are we waiting for the conclusion of Istanbul talks?

(Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya News): Just like Mr. Aijaz talked about transit trade, the FBR issued a press release last night which stated that approximately 300 trucks have been cleared. I would like you to clarify your position on this. Secondly, regarding tomorrow's talks, will Mr. Khwaja Asif be leading the Pakistani side? Lastly, as talks are between two parties, what demands have been put forth by the Afghan side, because the ministers of the Afghan Taliban Regime have been alleging that entities like Daesh are operating from inside Pakistan. So, what are their demands?

Spokesperson: Afghan transit trade is closed, is not taking place. It is not taking place because of the factors that you were aware of. There was considerable discussion on this question during last week's briefing as well. Till the evaluation of the security situation, this transit trade will remain closed.

And this is also about Mr. Naveed Siddiqui's question on Chaman, Angur Ada, etc. We feel for the hardships faced by traders and businessmen. Ordinary people are also affected because of the commodity availability. But at the border points with Afghan Transit trade, armed attacks were carried out against Pakistan, killing Pakistanis. This pains us gravely. For us, the lives of Pakistanis are more important than any commodity traded. So, I think we have to have a very clear priority on ATT and our security. Pakistan lives and our security matters the most.

Regarding the delegation in Istanbul, frankly, I do not know who is leading the talks, but I do know that the talks are taking place as of now. A representative Pakistani delegation, will be taking part in those talks.

(Khalid Mehmood, Express News): Israel is violating all international laws and agreements. I want to know about the Sharm Al Sheikh Peace Agreement. What is the status of this agreement?

Spokesperson: Yes, Israel is violating international laws, and its agreements. We issued two press releases on Israel. One was on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. Then, later in the evening, a Joint Statement was issued by OIC that Pakistan joined. Thirdly, we issued our reaction on the legislative measures taken by Israel. Our delegation to the UN in New York, at a meeting of the UN Security Council aired our views on Israeli violations. The draft bill in the Israeli parliament, is another grave violation of Palestinian rights. We are calling for and we are reminding the international community of their obligations to stop Israel from these violations.

The Sharm Al Sheik accord to achieve a window of peace, enabling the objective of a ceasefire in Gaza, which paved the way for a peace process. The two parties to take certain positive action. Now is the time to translate this window and turn these positive actions into a long term, sustainable peace process that would lead to the creation of the State of Palestine, with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital. So, Sharm Al Sheikh meeting, in which our Prime Minister participated, has opened a road to peace, which Israel and the international community ought to take and follow for a lasting settlement.

(Mariam Ilahi, Pakistan TV): Sir, I want your comment on India reopening its Embassy in Kabul. How does Islamabad assess that situation in the regional context?

Spokesperson: I think this was asked last week also. My predecessor clarified it. India and Afghanistan are two sovereign countries. If they decide to have diplomatic representations in each other's capitals, they have the right to do so. It is a normal diplomatic protocol between the two sovereign states. However, we do emphasize that the Afghan soil should not be used for fomenting and sponsoring terrorism and separatism in Pakistan. On this count, the track record of India and its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan has been bleak. So, we will see and how developments unfold.

(Tahir Khan, NNI): Thank you, in the context of your response, I have a question. When Afghan Taliban took over control of Afghanistan, Pakistan conducted OIC Conference for them. Pakistan was the first country to hand over the Afghan Embassy to the Taliban and Pakistan had been asking the world community to engage with the Taliban. This was our demand. Pakistan would always tell the US and the European and others to unfreeze the $9 Billion of Afghanistan. Back then, Indian Embassy was closed then Indian Embassy was reopened in July 2022. What happened Tahir Sahab, where are we standing today and where India is standing today as India's influence was kicked out of Afghanistan back then and who is responsible for this state of affairs today?

Secondly, a brief question, an agreement was signed in Doha, Qatar. We have been hearing this from the 90's that Pakistan supports bilateral track. We already have two mechanisms in place: Joint Border Coordination Committee and a mechanism at Joint Secretary or at Additional Secretary Level. The relations have deteriorated so much that these mechanisms have become dysfunctional or have we reached at a level that we are unable to solve these issues bilaterally?

(Munir Ahmed, AP): For years, Pakistan was accused of sheltering the Taliban, and they were considered terrorist. And we kept refusing, and we kept saying that they are not hiding anywhere in Pakistan. And whenever the international community needed to talk to them, we were the one to facilitate the same people who flew from Islamabad or some other part of the country, and then they went to Doha. So, this time when Pakistani side, Pakistani officials were sitting across the table with the same people, what was the feeling? When Khawaja Asif, the Defense Minister and other people, the spy master, the ISI chief, they were sitting in front of the same people, the same Taliban who had lived in Pakistan for years, who were sheltered and hosted there for years, while negotiating with them. There must be some feeling. And there was question from my backside, and perhaps you forgot to answer that question, there must be some concern from the Afghan side as well, because the other side also say something. What are their concerns? And how do you see this foreign policy? Is it a failure of Pakistan's foreign policy? Are they, the Taliban government, we are using a new word, Taliban Regime, they did not honor their commitments. What has happened that created another enemy, or they have created another enemy on the border. Now we have two enemies.

Spokesperson: You are very right that when Taliban took over, we were positively engaged. You may recall Pakistan organized an OIC emergency conference here in Islamabad. There was a certain optimism in the air that with this development, Afghanistan's trade and connectivity potential would be realized. But unfortunately, in the last four years that dream has remained somewhat elusive.

I can assure you that the sincerity of purpose and intent of Pakistan for Afghanistan was there in 2021-2022 timeframe when we were organizing this conference, and the same sincerity of purpose and intent prevails now when we are taking part in Doha and Istanbul meetings. However, our sincerity is reciprocated by the gruesome introduction of the TTP and other violent armed groups using Afghan soil to attack Pakistan and to kill our brothers, our sons, our soldiers. So, this is what has changed.

And I come to the second part of the question, I would be very careful in saying the Taliban as "enemies", or categorizing them as such, particularly now that we are taking part in talks soon. We are in a very delicate process, so I will choose my words very carefully.

The message from Pakistan to Taliban regime in Kabul is clear to stop these attacks, control and apprehend these terrorists of the TTP and other armed groups, and our relations could be back on track. And this is not an unreasonable demand. We are not asking for moon. We are asking Taliban regime to uphold their own commitments. We are asking them to uphold the international law on these issues. As regards the Indian Embassy, I have already answered this question in response to Miss Mariam Ilahi's question.

(Sumaira Khan, Samaa TV): First of all, welcome aboard in such a turbulent time, the news is flowing through your office, days and night.
My question is that we had this round of talks in Doha. It merely had a cerebral effect afterwards or we are actually seeing something practically happening from Afghan side, because a series of negative statements is being issued and conducted by all the Afghan higher offices. So, I need your precious input in that. So, what exactly we are hoping from the next round in Istanbul?

Second part is not just one dam on Kuner and Kabul rivers, we are hearing about six dams being built with the assistance of India, billions of dollars, and $3 billion have been requested by the Afghan side to India in recent Delhi visit of the Interim Foreign Minister Muttaqi. So, do we see that it is a replica of that water policy, water aggression against Pakistan being implemented on the western border as well that has earlier been implemented by India on the eastern side?

Spokesperson: You used a very interesting phrase about the cerebral effect. I think I answered this question. Basically, as I was just asking Taliban regime to end cross-border terrorism stemming from Afghanistan against Pakistan, our aim is to restore peace and stability. And in order to have a certainty that terrorism has ended, we are asking for a concrete and a verifiable mechanism. We should be positive about the future. As regard the issue of dam on Kunar River is not new. You would recall, certainly our distinguished seniors who are here, would also recall that this issue probably has been there since the time of King Zahir Shah and Sardar Dawood, and it was definitely during the governments of President Karzai and Ghani. We monitor the new developments as they unfold.

(Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): President Trump has wished many times to receive Nobel Peace Prize. But Israel is constantly violating Gaza ceasefire. Does Israel intend to dash Trump's wish of attaining Nobel Peace Prize?

Secondly, Muslim properties and assets are getting damaged and destroyed in India. Their homes are getting bulldozed. Your comments on such incidents? Thank you.

Spokesperson: So, what transpires between US and Israel is not for us to comment upon the decision. President Donald Trump played a significant role in the recent events, which eventually led to the ceasefire and subsequent progress. I do not think that we are in a position to pass a final verdict on government A or a government B exerting their influences.

Your other question about Muslims in India is very important. Their treatment of Muslims, particularly instance of lynching and home demolitions, you would recall certain reports from India documenting discrimination against minorities including Muslim Sachar Committee Report was one such document. We would urge India to uphold its commitment on fair treatment of minorities, including Muslims.

Thank You.