News Updates

23 April - 13 May, 2019
  • Qureshi, Swaraj unlikely to meet at SCO event: FO
    The foreign ministers of Pakistan and India are unlikely to have a formal bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Orga¬ni¬sation’s (SCO) ministerial meeting later this month, although the two could have a formal handshake. (Dawn, May 10, 2019)
  • Abuse in held Kashmir to be exposed at every forum: FM
    Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the ugly face of India, which flaunted itself as the world’s largest democracy, but at the same time engaged in massive human rights abuses, would have to be exposed. (Dawn, May 11, 2019)
  • US, Pakistan discuss trade ties, Afghan peaceTop Pakistani and US officials in two meetings held talks to promote economic and business relations between the two countries and also agreed to continue their cooperation for Afghan peace and reconciliation. (Dawn, April 30, 2019)
  • US refuses to share data on F-16s with India
    The United States government has declined to share with India information on the use of F-16 fighter jets by the Pakistan Air Force during a recent dogfight, the Indian media reported.(Dawn, April 29, 2019)
  • JeM chief Masood Azhar added to UN terror list after China removes objections
    The United Nations’ 1267 Sanctions Committee placed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leader Masood Azhar on its global terror list after China removed its objection to his listing. (Dawn, May 01, 2019)
09 April - 22 April, 2019
  • No Pakistani soldier, citizen killed in air strike: Sushma
    Hours after an Indian minister admitted that no Pakistani soldier or civilian was killed in the air strike carried out on Balakot by the Indian Air Force on Feb 26, the public affairs wing of the military on expressed satisfaction, even joy, that truth had come out at last.
    “Finally the truth [has been revealed] underground reality compulsions,” said director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor in a tweet. (Dawn, April 19, 2019)
  • India suspends cross-LoC trade citing 'misuse of trade routes' between AJK and IHK
    The Indian government on suspended the cross-LoC (Line of Control) trade between the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the part of Kashmir it occupies, in a move that evoked strong reactions from traders who feared the decision could force them into destitution.
    According to a notification issued by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, the trade was suspended from both Chakothi-Uri and Tetrinote-Chakan da Bagh crossing points of the LoC because of the alleged "misuse of these routes by unnamed elements in Pakistan". (Dawn, April 19, 2019)
  • Pakistan hopes to re-engage with India through structured dialogue post elections: Sohail Mahmood
    Pakistan’s outgoing high commissioner to India, Sohail Mahmood, given to Press Trust of India, during which the diplomat emphasised the importance of diplomacy and dialogue in improving relations between the two countries. (Dawn, April 14, 2019)
  • Mehbooba Mufti accuses BJP of creating 'fear psychosis' in 'desperation to win election'
    Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of creating a "fear psychosis" under the guise of national security to prepare for another Balakot-like strike in desperation to win the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. (Dawn, April 15, 2019)
01 April - 08 April, 2019
  • India planning 'military action' against Pakistan this month, discloses foreign minister
    "I am speaking responsibly, I hold a position of responsibility, and I know the words I utter will be picked up by the international media," Qureshi prefaced."Preparations are being made, and there are chances of another attack against Pakistan. According to our information, the action could be taken between April 16 and 20. (Dawn, April 07, 2019)
  • US move not conducive to peace in South Asia: China
    The United States on April 3 vowed to utilize “all available avenues” to ensure Masood Azhar was held accountable but China warned Washington that this attitude could complicate an already tense situation in South Asai. (Dawn, April 4, 2019)
  • Envoy shares new plans for intra-Afghan talks
    US Special Envoy for Reconciliation in Afghanistan Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday shared his new plans with Pakistani interlocutors for breaking the protracted impasse on intra-Afghan dialogue and getting Afghan factions to commence their negotiations. (Dawn, April 6, 2019)
  • Qureshi, Pompeo stress importance of continuing Afgan peace process: FO
    Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, during a telephone conversation on Tuesday, stressed the importance of continuing the Afghan peace process, a Foreign Office press release said. (Dawn, April 02, 2019)
  • Kartarpur Corridor: Pakistan agrees to India's proposal for technical meeting on April 16
    Pakistan agreed to India's proposal for a meeting between technical experts from both sides on the Kartarpur Corridor on April 16. (Dawn, April 8, 2019)