The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has refuted allegations that Pakistan has reneged on its neutral position and is arming Ukraine in support of its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict, which has also destroyed entire Ukrainian cities, rocked the world economy, and driven millions of people from their homes. Germany reported that 1.1 million people arrived from Ukraine in 2022, exceeding its historic migrant influx of 2015–16, illustrating the scope of the disruption. Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson for the Foreign Office, called the reporting on Pakistan’s supply of arms to Ukraine inaccurate during her weekly press conference.
“The reporting about supply of defence items by Pakistan to Ukraine is not accurate,” she categorically said, rejecting the claims.
“Pakistan maintains a policy of non-interference in military conflicts. Pakistan only exports defence stores to other states based on strong End Use and none re-transfer assurances. And this is the case of Pakistan’s position in the Ukraine-Russia conflict,” she added.
The spokesperson mentioned Pakistan’s relations with the United States during her press conference and said they were progressing with “positive momentum”.
“Regarding Pakistan-US relations, I would like to state that Pakistan is encouraged with the positive momentum in our relations with the United States and the engagement that is taking place both here and in Washington DC.”
“We believe that the ongoing visits will contribute to further strengthening of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States,” the spokesperson said.
“Pakistan and United States have a multifaceted dialogue. We are encouraged with the exchanges and dialogue taking place between Pakistan and the US administration and all issues of Pakistan’s interest and mutual concern are being discussed. This includes cooperation in trade and investment as well.”
When asked about the raids on the BBC offices in India, Baloch responded that Pakistan believed the action to be yet another illustration of the dwindling space for media freedom in the neighboring country. She asserted that such oppressive actions are unquestionably retaliation for the BBC documentary’s release, which exposed the truth about the Gujarat massacre of 2002, and for the illegal and unilateral actions taken on August 5, 2019, when the special status granted to occupied Kashmir was revoked. “After failing to conceal the truth, the Indian Government is now attacking a foreign media outlet. This, in our opinion, is yet another blemish on India’s purported democratic credentials,” she continued.
