By Dr. Lubna Farah
ISLAMABAD -Pakistan has rejected any suggestion of differences between the country’s political leadership or state institutions over the Mecca Defence Pact, while strongly condemning the Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that killed three Pakistani nationals.
Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi said the attack was “deeply regrettable” and posed a serious threat to freedom and security of navigation in the Red Sea.
“Pakistan is closely monitoring the situation and supports freedom of navigation in international waters,” Andrabi said during his weekly press briefing.
He confirmed that three Pakistani nationals were killed in the Red Sea attack and said efforts were under way to repatriate their remains.
Pakistan, he added, is part of the Saudi-led maritime security coalition and is prepared to fulfil its responsibilities to help ensure safe navigation in international waters.
No Differences Over Mecca Pact
On the Mecca Defence Pact, the spokesman said the agreement was clear and stipulated that an attack on one member would be regarded as an attack on all.
He described the pact as fundamentally defensive and categorically rejected any impression of differences between Pakistan’s political leadership and state institutions over the agreement.
Andrabi said the pact should not be viewed as an arrangement limited to three countries, describing it as an important development in their fraternal relations and a significant step towards regional peace and stability.
He said Pakistan had played an important role in facilitating the agreement and would continue to contribute to regional peace and security.
Pakistan Pushes for US-Iran Dialogue
Turning to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, Andrabi said Pakistan’s position remained clear and that Islamabad continued to hope for a peaceful outcome.
He said Pakistan remained committed to facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States, despite the failure to meet the previously announced deadline.
“Pakistan is making efforts to bring Iran and the United States back to the negotiating table,” he said.
The spokesman also underlined the importance of any future understanding concerning the Strait of Hormuz, while describing changes in Iran’s military leadership as an internal matter for Tehran.
Saudi-US Nuclear Cooperation
Asked about the Saudi-US civil nuclear agreement, Andrabi said Pakistan was reviewing the arrangement and respected Saudi Arabia’s right to pursue a peaceful civilian nuclear programme.
India and Kashmir
On Kashmir, the spokesman accused India of attempting to exploit developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir for political purposes.
He said New Delhi should focus on the situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir rather than commenting on Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and urged India to fulfil the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
Gaza and Israel
Commenting on Gaza, Andrabi said a recent statement by the Israeli prime minister represented a setback for efforts associated with the proposed Gaza Board of Peace, underscoring Pakistan’s continuing concern over developments in the conflict.
Pakistan, he reiterated, would continue to support diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace, regional stability and international security.
