Islamabad: Pakistan has expressed its openness to international involvement, particularly from the United States, in resolving the long-standing Kashmir dispute. Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated during his weekly briefing that Pakistan favors diplomatic avenues for addressing the issue, emphasizing that the decision rests with India to engage in dialogue. Current interactions between Pakistan and India remain limited to routine diplomatic engagements.

According to Radio Pakistan, Shafqat Ali Khan addressed media reports suggesting India's plans to alter the status of Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated Pakistan's stance that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory, with its final status to be determined based on UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He criticized India's actions on August 5, 2019, labeling them as violations of the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions, and international law, notably the Fourth Geneva Convention. Any further actions, he warned, would be similarly unlawful.

Regarding the banning of books by Arundhati Roy and Maulana Abul A'la al-Maududi in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Khan condemned these acts as examples of India's oppressive rule in the region.

The Spokesperson also dismissed allegations of any secret agreements with the United States that might compromise Pakistan's natural resources or national interests. Furthermore, Khan accused India of instigating terrorism within Pakistan, pointing to insurgencies in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa originating from Afghanistan. He emphasized the importance of a stable Afghanistan for Pakistan's interests and urged Afghan authorities to address terrorist sanctuaries within their borders.

In response to a question about Russia, Khan affirmed the significance of Russia in Pakistan's foreign policy. He noted the ongoing efforts to strengthen Pakistan-Russia relations, which he said contribute to regional stability.