Pakistan takes exception to EU envoys' statement on Ukraine stance

• Pakistan expresses concerns over EU diplomats' statement.
• FO says the statement was against diplomatic norms.
• 22 nations had urged Pakistan to condemn Russian aggression in a joint statement.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday responded angrily to a statement of European Union envoys on the country’s stance on the Ukraine war and termed it against diplomatic norms.

Addressing a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said the harsh stance against Pakistan was not appropriate.

On Wednesday, the envoys of 22 countries, including EU member states, had jointly called on Pakistan to support a resolution in the UNGA condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“As heads of mission to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, we urge Pakistan to join us in condemning Russia’s actions,” the statement had stated, raising eyebrows in Islamabad.

The FO spokesperson said that the embassies of European countries should have avoided the inappropriate reaction. “This attitude is unacceptable and Pakistan has conveyed its concern to the embassies,” he said.

Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan wanted balanced and broad-based relations with all countries including the United States and the European Union.

To a question, he said Pakistan pursued a clear-minded and well-thought-out foreign policy.

Responding to another question, he said Pakistan also wanted cordial relations with its neighbours including India. “It is India’s hostile behaviour that has brought us to a situation where talks have been suspended. India is also involved in gross human rights violations in IIOJ&K. The acts are serious violations which are impeding normalisation of ties with India,” he added.

The FO official said India was also involved in subversive activities and terrorism in Pakistan. He said the arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav had exposed India’s terrorist activities in Pakistan and the region.

“Pakistan is committed to confronting this policy of India which is employing terrorism as an instrument of state policy and we are determined to fight it till the very end.”

To a question, the spokesperson said the Pakistan Mission in Ukraine was working round the clock to provide all possible assistance and cooperation to evacuate Pakistani citizens to safer places.