News Updates
December, 2019
- Pakistan will give befitting response if India undertakes false-flag operation: PM Imran
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday issued a strongly worded statement in which he warned the world that "Pakistan will have no option but to give a befitting response" to India if it undertakes a "false-flag operation". The premier's statement comes in the backdrop of a recent statement by Indian army chief Bipin Rawat who had said that the situation at the restive Line of Control (LoC) can "escalate any time". (Dawn, December 21, 2019)
- Don't mistake our wish to remain peaceful as sign of weakness, FM warns India
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in a video message on Thursday, warned India against mistaking Pakistan's wish to remain peaceful as a sign of weakness. Commenting on the UN Security Council meeting on Kashmir raised by China on Pakistan's request, he stated that the issue was raised at the right moment. (Dawn December 19, 2019)
- Pakistan condemns 'regressive, discriminatory' nationality bill passed by India's lower house
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on Monday introduced a controversial bill in parliament that would give citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from three neighbouring countries: Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan condemned the discriminatory legislation, saying it was "driven by a toxic mix of an extremist Hindutva ideology". (Dawn, December 10, 2019)
- Pakistan rejects 'unilateral and arbitrary' US designation for religious freedom violations
Pakistan on Tuesday rejected its listing by the United States as a violator of religious freedoms, saying the "unilateral and arbitrary designation" is not only detached from the ground realities of Pakistan but also raises questions about the credibility and transparency of the entire exercise. (Dawn, December 24, 2019)
- US to resume military training programme for Pakistan: State Dept
The Trump administration has approved a resumption of Pakistan's participation in a coveted US military training and educational programme more than a year after it was suspended, the State Department said on Thursday. (Dawn, December 20, 2019)
- Broad-based Pak-US partnership vital for regional peace: PM
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that broad-based and enduring partnership between Pakistan and the United States is important for peace, prosperity and development in the region.
The prime minister was talking to US Senator Lindsey Graham who called on him here on Monday. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was also present in the meeting, said a press release issued by the PM Office’s media wing. (Dawn, December 17, 2019)
- US welcomes Hafiz Saeed’s indictment
The United States has welcomed Hafiz Saeed’s indictment by a Pakistani court, urging Islamabad to ensure a full prosecution and expeditious trial of the charges against him.
Hafiz Saeed is the head of the banned Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) group and is the chief accused in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack case. (Dawn, December 14, 2019)
- Pakistan welcomes Afghan presidential poll results
Pakistan has welcomed the announcement of preliminary results of Afghan presidential polls and underscored the importance of completion of the already over-delayed process. (Dawn, December 24, 2019)
- Pakistan hopes for end to ‘pause’ in Afghan peace talks
Pakistan hopes that the latest ‘pause’ in negotiations between the United States and Taliban will end soon and progress towards a political settlement of the conflict can be resumed. (Dawn, December 14, 2019)
- Stability in Afghanistan vital for region's economic progress, Qureshi tells Heart of Asia meeting
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday highlighted the need for achieving the goal of a secure and stable Afghanistan for the economic progress and prosperity of the entire region, a Foreign Office (FO) statement said. (Dawn, December 09, 2019)
- Saudi Arabia denies pressurising Pakistan to withdraw from Malaysia summit
The Saudi embassy in Islamabad on Saturday denied "information and fake news" broadcast by some media outlets that Saudi Arabia "pressurised and threatened" Pakistan to refrain from participating in the Kuala Lumpur Summit.
The statement comes a day after Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah quoted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying Pakistan had decided to stay away from the recently concluded summit because of Saudi Arabia's threats of economic sanctions. (Dawn, December 21, 2019)
- PM’s visit to Saudi Arabia aims to assuage Riyadh’s reservations
Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit Saudi Arabia on Saturday to reassure the kingdom’s leadership that ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia remain firm despite Islamabad’s engagement with other Muslim countries. (Dawn, December 13, 2019)
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