ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and India agreed on “structured mechanism for stage-wise de-escalation,” announced the Foreign Office on Friday
Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan termed the recent announcement of Pakistan-India ceasefire a positive development. “We urge India to adhere faithfully to its implementation,” he told the media while addressing his weekly news conference.
“We once again appreciate the constructive role played by friendly countries in facilitating the ceasefire. We also reiterate our support for President Trump’s announcement on engaging with Pakistan and India to seek a resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” the spokesperson said.
“Let me clarify: the ceasefire was achieved through the facilitation of several friendly nations. Against this backdrop, India’s portrayal of Pakistan as acting out of “despair and frustration” is entirely baseless. The facts speak for themselves.”
The spokesperson said the Directors General of Military Operations of Pakistan and India maintained periodic contact since 10 May. Both sides have agreed on a structured mechanism for phased de-escalation, he said.
As a goodwill gesture, Pakistan handed over an Indian Border Security Force (BSF) constable on 14 May 2025. In return, India released a sepoy of the Pakistan Rangers.
He further said at a time when the international community is actively promoting regional peace and stability, India’s rhetoric reflects a persistent tendency to distort facts, justify aggression, and cast unwarranted aspersions on Pakistan’s nuclear assets.
In contrast, Pakistan, as a responsible state, remains committed to the ceasefire and to taking necessary steps toward de-escalation and regional stability.
The spokesperson said Pakistan is a sovereign nation with resilient institutions, a committed populace, and a globally recognized role in maintaining peace and security. “Our commitment to peace must never be mistaken for weakness. Any future aggression will also be met with full resolve. We hope India will prioritize regional stability and the well-being of its citizens over narrow, politically motivated jingoism.”
He said Pakistan firmly believes in peaceful coexistence. “We prioritise dialogue and diplomacy over conflict and confrontation. We have consistently advocated for meaningful engagement and result-oriented dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. A just and peaceful settlement of these disputes remains indispensable for lasting peace in South Asia.”
Zangnan issue
Pakistan on Friday reiterated its support for China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, following Beijing’s reaffirmation of its position on Zangnan, also known as Arunachal Pradesh.
During his weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that Pakistan “fully supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China,” and had noted recent reports regarding China’s stance on the region.
The statement comes amid renewed tensions between India and China over the disputed territory, which Beijing refers to as Zangnan. He accused New Delhi of destabilising the regional security environment with its “aggressive posture”.
Khan dismissed Indian media reports alleging nuclear radiation linked to recent border tensions as “baseless and unfounded.” He said Pakistan’s military operations under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, were a response to cross-border aggression and carried out in self-defence.
“Our response was in line with our right to self-defence [under Article 51 of the UN Charter] and aimed at preserving national sovereignty,” Khan said. Punjab also marked a significant achievement under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos with tributes and commemorative events.
Khan welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement between the two sides and urged India to uphold its commitments. “We view this as a positive step and expect India to implement the ceasefire in both letter and spirit,” he said.
