Pakistan calls for de-escalation in Gulf, says Kuwait defence pact separate from Saudi agreement

Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi made this comment during the weekly press briefing at the Foreign Office, where he stated that Pakistan was promoting understandings that had been achieved in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and Qatar Declaration, and encouraging dialogue among the concerned parties regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

He severely denounced attacks by non-state actors on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and said that the Kingdom is entitled to defending itself in line with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The head of the Saudi aviation authority, Andrabi, reported that several drones attempting to strike Riyadh and the Eastern Province have been shot down, based on information provided by the Saudi officials. He added the Pakistani government was waiting for more supporting details about Iraq’s response to the attacks allegedly coming from Iraqi territory.

The Pakistan-Kuwait Defence Cooperation Agreement has a different scope than Pakistan-Saudi strategic defence deal, the spokesperson said. Signed in June 2023 and ratified by Kuwait last month, the deal seeks to enhance cooperation in defence-related military drills, training courses and other military cooperation fields. It is the continuation of the long time defence relations between Islamabad and Kuwait since over 40 years,” he said.

Regarding India, Andrabi said that Pakistan and India have concluded administrative procedures for routine exchanges of staff at their respective High Commissions. The appointments took place at the working level, not at the ambassadorial level, he said. The number of visas given to Indian pilgrims and other tourists has also been much large, and the normal Indian citizens have limited numbers of visas. He pointed out that the new figures will be released later.

The spokesperson also said that Pakistan will formally invite all member nations of the SCO to its meetings on the basis of agenda in the future, adding that participation in the meetings may be at the head of state or head of government level.

Reiterating Islamabad’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir, Andrabi pointed out that this issue can only be addressed through a free and impartial plebiscite based on relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. He said that any local decision taken by any administration in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir can’t do substitute of any internationally recognised resolution and can’t alter the disputed status of the territory.

The spokesperson said Pakistan has already expressed its position on the Kargil conflict and its stance has been on record when asked to comment on recent remarks by India’s defence minister.