Pak will continue to extend all possible support to Kashmiris in their just struggle for the right to self-determination: Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.

ISLAMABAD -- Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad has said that Pakistan will continue to extend all possible support to the Kashmiris in their just struggle for the right to self-determination as pledged to them by the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. He said that Pakistan salutes the Kashmiris as they remain undaunted in their determination to stand against India's oppressive occupation. He said that the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by a high level delegation, will be undertaking an official visit to Saudi Arabia later during the week. More details will be shared subsequently.

This was stated by FO Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad while addressing a weekly press conference on Monday. 'We are having this briefing after a gap during which a peaceful, democratic political transition has taken place in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan. Having been elected by the National Assembly, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has assumed Office as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan on 11 April' he said.

He said that the Prime Minister has received messages of felicitation from leaders of a large number of countries, including Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Germany, UAE, Iran, Bahrain, United Kingdom, India, Malaysia, Jordan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and others. The Prime Minster also received a felicitation call from President of the European Union Ursula von der Leyen.

Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said that as guided by the Prime Minister, Pakistan will continue to proactively advance our diplomacy and partnerships in all bilateral and multilateral domains to effectively safeguard our national interests and play our role in promoting peace and development in the region and beyond.

He said that the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar has assumed charge from 19 April 2022.

He said that the media have seen our statement containing strong condemnation of the recent abhorrent act of desecration of the Holy Quran during rallies in Sweden, and the offensive remarks made by a Dutch politician, attacking Islam and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Pakistan's concerns have also been conveyed to the authorities in Sweden and The Netherlands. 'We call on the international community to come together to counter Islamophobia and to demonstrate solidarity and commitment to the ideals of building peaceful and harmonious societies' he said.

He...