Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed the government to take strict legal action against human traffickers in Pakistan, including confiscation of their assets and properties. He emphasized that the prosecution process should be made more effective and instructed the Ministry of Law and Justice to appoint competent lawyers for prosecution. The prime minister also ordered the Foreign Office to contact relevant countries regarding Pakistanis involved in human trafficking abroad and take measures for their extradition. Additionally, he advised the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to run an awareness campaign with the Ministry of Interior to inform the public about using legal channels for overseas employment.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1269500-pm-orders-making-an-example-of-human-traffickersPakistan's strategic programme and capabilities have been deemed a "sacred trust" by the Foreign Office, with complete consensus among the country's people and no external interference or compromise. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood emphasized the need for constructive engagement with the US to address Pakistan's legitimate security concerns and defence needs, while Malik Qasim Mustafa of ACDC argued that the US has ignored the fragile dynamics of strategic stability in South Asia by imposing discriminatory sanctions. The sanctions have been attributed to geopolitical contestations and gaps in export control regimes, which hinder states' access to technology for peaceful purposes.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1268489-missile-sanctions-discriminatory-us-policies-undermine-regional-strategic-stability-expertsPakistan's Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch clarified several national security and foreign policy issues in her last media briefing before being appointed as the new ambassador to Paris, France. She denied rumors of Pakistan's military entering Afghanistan's Wakhan region, emphasizing respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Baloch stated that the Gwadar Port is intended for the benefit of Pakistani people, not foreign governments or military forces, highlighting Pakistan's commitment to utilizing its resources for national interests.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1268138-fo-expresses-concern-over-extraterritorial-killings-by-india-in-pakistanPakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, stated that the country has a robust dialogue mechanism with Afghanistan and intends to continue discussing bilateral relations, including security and border management issues. She emphasized that Pakistan can defend its national security and sovereignty against any internal or external threats. Additionally, she clarified that the Gwadar port, developed with Chinese support, is solely for Pakistan's development purposes. Baloch also categorically denied reports of plans to offer military bases to foreign governments or entities, specifically mentioning India as a neighboring country with which Pakistan has relations.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40340754/fo-expresses-concern-over-indian-extraterritorial-killings-in-pakistanPakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar hosted a reception for the representatives of the "Big Five" (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States) at the Foreign Office in Islamabad. The event was attended by heads of resident missions of UN Security Council member states and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to working constructively with all UNSC members and the broader UN membership to bridge divides, foster consensus, and uphold the UN Security Council's mandate. A change of guards at the Foreign Office took place during the day, with Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan being appointed as the new Spokesperson for the Foreign Office. Khan has served in various capacities, including as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York and Diplomatic Adviser to the Speaker National Assembly. Pakistan and India exchanged lists of their respective nuclear installations and facilities on January 1, as per an agreement that entered into force in 1991. The list provides for both countries to inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities on January 1 of each calendar year. The two nations also exchanged lists of prisoners in each other's custody, with Pakistan handing over a list of 266 Indian prisoners (49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen) to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. India shared the list of Pakistani prisoners in its jails, totaling 462 Pakistanis (381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen). Pakistan requested India to expedite the release and return of 183 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners who have completed their sentences in Pakistani jails. India also sought immediate consular access to 18 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistani custody believed to be Indian nationals.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1267784-pakistan-seeks-peaceful-resolution-of-all-issues-on-unsc-agendaLord Simon McDonald, a former top civil servant at the Foreign Office, has urged the UK government to stand firm in negotiations with Mauritius over the handover of the Chagos Islands archipelago. The UK agreed to transfer sovereignty of the islands, which include Diego Garcia, a strategically important military base, to Mauritius in October. However, Mauritius is now demanding £800 million per year and "billions of pounds in reparations", which Lord McDonald describes as "crazy money". He believes that the Mauritian government is overplaying its hand and will not succeed in getting such a large sum. The UK has been urged to keep negotiating and not accept the demands, with Lord McDonald warning that if there is no agreement, it could linger for many more years and Mauritians would get nothing.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14239385/Labour-ministers-against-caving-Mauritius-Chagos-Islands.html