No talks with India for resumption of bilateral trade: FO

**Islamabad:** The Foreign Office (FO) clarified on Friday that there are no ongoing talks between Pakistan and India regarding the resumption of bilateral trade.

FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during the weekly press briefing, pointed to India's illegal and unilateral actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in 2019 as the reason behind the suspension of trade relations.

Baloch recalled that after the Indian government's illegal annexation of IIOJK by revoking Article 370 of its constitution on August 5, 2019, several measures, including the suspension of trade, were taken by Pakistan.

"This situation remains unchanged," she emphasized.

The spokesperson highlighted the importance of observing this day to expose Indian atrocities and express solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir.

Condemning the recent killing of four Kashmiri youths by Indian occupation forces in Doda district, Baloch called it another example of India's illegal and oppressive actions against the Kashmiri people. She urged the international community to take swift and decisive action to hold India accountable for its egregious human rights violations in IIOJK and to protect the rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people.

### Kabul Urged to Avoid Unprovoked Acts

Regarding border violations, the FO spokesperson called on the interim Afghan government to exercise restraint and avoid unprovoked actions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. This statement came in response to a question about increasing incidents of cross-border firing and a recent clash between Pakistani and Afghan border forces near the Torkham border crossing.

Earlier this week, heavy fire was exchanged between Pakistani and Afghan forces after Pakistan objected to the construction of a controversial checkpost near the border by Afghan forces. The cross-border firing led to the closure of the border for all types of movement.

Baloch remarked, “I won’t delve into the history of such border violations from the Afghan side. However, the recent incident on August 12, where Afghan forces opened indiscriminate fire at the Torkham border, was very unfortunate.”

She added that Pakistani forces responded appropriately in self-defense. “We urge Afghan authorities to exercise restraint and avoid unprovoked acts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistani forces will always defend their territory.”

Baloch also emphasized that Pakistan remains ready to resolve any misunderstandings through established diplomatic channels and highlighted that the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is multifaceted, encompassing various aspects of bilateral cooperation. She cautioned against viewing this relationship through a narrow lens.

The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s concerns about the presence of terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan and called on Afghan authorities to take strong action against terrorist groups operating from their territory.

### Denial of Allegations Involving Bangladesh

Baloch firmly rejected allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in the ouster of Sheikh Hasina Wajid, stating that there is no truth to these claims. She stressed that Pakistan believes the people of Bangladesh have the capacity to manage their own affairs and determine their future.

### Condemnation of Al-Aqsa Mosque Storming

The spokesperson also strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa mosque by hundreds of extremist settlers led by Israeli occupation officials. She expressed that the desecration of one of Islam's holiest sites and the obstruction of worshippers' rights deeply hurt Muslims worldwide. Baloch labeled this act a violation of the Geneva Convention and a blatant disregard for multiple United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

She called upon the international community, particularly the UNSC, to take immediate action to halt these serious and repeated transgressions against the sanctity of holy sites in Jerusalem, protect the Islamic character of Al-Aqsa, and ensure the freedom of worship for the Palestinian people.