Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan has reiterated that its policy regarding the Abraham Accords remains unchanged, stressing that it continues to advocate for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.
Speaking at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan's position on the Middle East remains firm and consistent.
LIVE: Spokesperson's Weekly Press Briefing 04-06-2026 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad https://t.co/3ebcyb2jT0
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 4, 2026
He emphasized that the country's foremost objective is the realization of a free Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Andrabi noted that despite the Eid holidays, Pakistan witnessed an exceptionally active period of diplomacy over the last two weeks, marked by a series of important international engagements.
Among the key developments was Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent official trip to China, undertaken at the invitation of the Chinese leadership.
During the visit, the prime minister held meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, where both sides explored opportunities for cooperation across various sectors.
The discussions covered areas such as information technology, telecommunications, agriculture, and energy storage solutions. A business-to-business investment forum was also organized in Hangzhou, culminating in the issuance of a joint statement by the two countries.
The spokesperson further highlighted the diplomatic engagements of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who recently visited New York and Washington. While in New York, he participated in United Nations (UN) meetings focused on international peace, multilateral cooperation, and reforms to global governance institutions.
On the sidelines of these engagements, Dar held separate meetings with foreign ministers and senior representatives from several countries, including China, Indonesia, Portugal, and others.
The talks centered on strengthening bilateral partnerships and enhancing cooperation on international issues.
During his stay in Washington, Dar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Their discussions covered a wide range of subjects, including trade, security, counterterrorism efforts, and cultural exchanges. According to the Foreign Office, both nations expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in their bilateral relationship.
Pakistan also remained actively engaged with countries in the Middle East, including Egypt, Iran, and Kuwait, where discussions focused on regional developments and efforts to promote stability.
The FO spokesperson added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held telephone conversations with several world leaders, including the President of Iran, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, and the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Their exchanges centered on regional peace, cooperation, and shared concerns.
He also confirmed the visit of a senior European Union (EU) official to Pakistan, during which the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue was convened. The visiting delegation met with Pakistan’s senior civilian and military leadership, and both sides agreed to maintain close political and economic cooperation. A joint statement was issued following the dialogue.
Andrabi also referred to a recent joint declaration by eight countries condemning actions carried out at Al-Aqsa Mosque. The statement reaffirmed support for a two-state solution as the basis for resolving the Palestinian issue.
Responding to another matter, the FO spokesperson revealed that ten Pakistani nationals are still being held in Somalia by pirates. He added that communication has been established with Somali authorities, and efforts are continuing to secure the safe return of the captives.
While responding to questions about India inviting bids for a project that involves transferring water from the Chenab River towards the Beas River system, the FO spokesperson said that Pakistan retains the full range of options to protect its rights and entitlements under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), stressing that safeguarding its essential national interests remains non-negotiable.
He stated that any such attempt to divert Chenab waters into another river basin would amount to a serious violation of the IWT.
The FO spokesperson added that it would also go against international legal obligations governing treaties, including principles outlined in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, as well as broader norms of international water law such as those reflected in the 1997 UN watercourses framework.
Andrabi also voiced concern over India’s planned silt flushing activity at the Salal Dam reservoir in the Reasi district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), saying it could potentially grant water control capabilities that are not permitted under either the Indus Waters Treaty or the 1978 Salal agreement.
He further pointed out that Pakistan has not received any official communication or notification regarding these proposed projects, nor has India sought consultations through the established mechanisms.
Andrabi said that such actions reinforce concerns that India is attempting to use water as a means of pressure, which could have serious consequences for Pakistan’s economy as well as for peace and stability across the region and beyond.
The FO spokesperson said Pakistan has shown consistent restraint and continues to prefer dialogue and peaceful settlement of disputes.
However, he made it clear that any unlawful move that endangers Pakistan’s water availability, food security, economic stability, or the well-being of its population of around 250 million people would be completely unacceptable.
Andrabi warned that such steps could further heighten tensions in South Asia and create serious risks for regional populations. He also urged the international community to encourage India to avoid any form of water-related coercion, to abandon initiatives that aim to obstruct, reduce, or divert water flows rightfully belonging to Pakistan, and to ensure full and faithful compliance with the Indus Waters Treaty.
In response to a separate question about the Swiss ambassador to India visiting IIOJK, Andrabi reiterated that the territory remains an internationally recognized dispute.
The FO spokesperson said such visits by foreign officials do not change its disputed status, and emphasized that the issue must ultimately be resolved through a free and impartial plebiscite under international understanding.