ISLAMABAD: The foreign office stated, today, that the interaction between political leaders and foreign envoys is a regular occurrence. This statement followed reports indicating that PTI leaders had engaged with diplomats to seek assistance for party chairman Imran Khan.
FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at a press conference today, “The meeting of political leaders for breakfast at the house of Australian High Commissioner was part of a routine.”
According to the reports, PTI leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Barrister Ali Zafar, and Rauf Hasan were said to have convened with seven foreign envoys.
These envoys included US Ambassador Donald Blome, British High Commissioner Jane Marritt, Canadian High Commissioner Leslie Scanlon, Norwegian Ambassador Per Albert Ilsaas, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union Ms Dr Riina Kionka, and Indonesian Ambassador Adam Mulawarman Tugio.
The meeting took place at the residence of Australian High Commissioner Neil Hawkins in Diplomatic Enclave on August 18. Notably, the PTI leaders have reportedly confirmed the occurrence of this meeting.
Information from sources indicated that discussions during the meeting encompassed Khan’s sentence.
In addition, the PTI team explained the cipher saga to the US ambassador and deliberated on the political scenario.
Meanwhile, the foreign office confirmed a meeting between the US Ambassador and Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja. The foreign office recommended consulting the concerned parties for specific details about the meeting.
The statement issued in response to the US envoy’s endorsement of fair elections in Pakistan, conducted in compliance with the law and Constitution
During the press briefing, Baloch announced that Pakistan has never pursued membership in BRICS – a coalition of the world economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. She emphasized the requirement for a review of the decisions taken during the BRICS summit
Leaders of the BRICS group have extended invitations to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates to join.
The foreign office spokesperson also expressed grave concerns over the arrest of six suspected Indian smugglers by Rangers, demanding that India take measures to prevent such incidents.
Baloch also congratulated India on the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft near the Moon’s south pole.
She said, “This is a great scientific achievement. We congratulate scientists who were part of the Chandrayaan.”
