ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has called for the release of all Kashmiri political prisoners and human rights activists, the Foreign Office said on Friday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan and China have completed 75 years of diplomatic relations, marking the occasion with official-level celebrations.
He said both countries have supported each other in difficult times and continue to cooperate in trade, industry, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
The spokesperson added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit China from May 23 to 26. He said the visit will help further strengthen the all-weather strategic partnership between the two countries.
He said the prime minister will chair a Pakistan-China business-to-business conference in Beijing and will also attend a reception. Meetings are also scheduled with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
On regional security issues, the spokesperson said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had visited Iran twice and held important meetings with Iranian leadership, discussing bilateral relations and security matters.
He said drone incidents were reported on May 17 in the airspace of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, adding that targeting nuclear facilities is a serious violation of international law. Pakistan expressed deep concern over the incidents and strongly condemned them, hoping such events would not recur.
Referring to Kashmir, the spokesperson said India continues to suppress voices advocating human rights in the region and highlighted what he described as ongoing atrocities in Indian-administered Kashmir.
He added that India attempts to divert attention from human rights violations by leveling baseless allegations against Pakistan, citing the Kulbhushan Jadhav case as evidence of state-sponsored terrorism.
Pakistan, he said, continues to demand the release of Kashmiri political prisoners and human rights activists. He also reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to use legal and diplomatic channels to protect its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.
The spokesperson said Pakistan and Russia had held detailed consultations on global security, arms control, and non-proliferation, agreeing to enhance cooperation in international forums, with the next round scheduled to be held in Islamabad in 2027.