ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday said it hopes for a peaceful and stable Iran, reaffirming its support for diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions, while sharply criticising India over the conviction of Kashmiri leaders as “baseless” allegations by the Indian military.
Responding to questions during the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan viewed stability in Iran as vital for the region.
“Pakistan hopes that peace and stability will prevail and reaffirms its support for all efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution of the situation,” he said.
Describing Iran as a “neighbor, friend and brotherly country,” Andrabi said Pakistan wished to see a “peaceful, stable and prosperous Iran.” He pointed to deep historical, cultural, and religious ties between the two countries and praised the Iranian people for what he called their “remarkable courage and resolve” in confronting past challenges.
He added that Pakistan hoped the recently announced livelihood and financial support measures by the Iranian government for traders and the general public would help ease economic hardships.
“A stable and peaceful Iran, free from domestic unrest or political upheaval, is in Pakistan’s interest,” the spokesperson said.
Condemns conviction of Kashmiri leader
Addressing the conviction of Asiya Andrabi, head of the banned Dukhtaran-e-Millat, under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Andrabi condemned the ruling along with the convictions of her associates Fehmida Sofi and Nahida Nasreen.
He described the cases as “another fabricated case after sham trials,” accusing New Delhi of systematically misusing anti-terror laws to silence dissent in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
“This conviction underscores the continued misuse of draconian laws to silence legitimate political voices,” he said, adding that Andrabi had been imprisoned for “peacefully advocating the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people.”
According to the Foreign Office, the convictions reflect a broader pattern of reprisals and intimidation against Kashmiri political leadership.
“Asiya Andrabi Sahiba has already languished for more than eight years in prison,” the spokesperson said, calling it a stark example of what he described as systemic repression of Kashmiris asserting their right to self-determination.
Pakistan reiterated its “steadfast diplomatic, political and moral support” for the Kashmiri people and their struggle for self-determination in line with United Nations resolutions.
Rejects Indian army chief’s claims
The Foreign Office also rejected recent remarks by the Indian Army chief alleging the presence of militant camps in Pakistan.
“Pakistan has made unparalleled sacrifices in blood and treasure in combating terrorism,” Andrabi said, adding that these efforts had been acknowledged by the international community.
He described Indian statements as “clichéd, habitual and delusional rhetoric” aimed at exploiting terrorism for domestic political gains, warning that such claims only further damage India’s credibility.
The spokesperson cited the arrest of Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, a serving Indian naval officer convicted by Pakistan of espionage and terrorism, and accused India of financing and facilitating militant proxies against Pakistan, including from Afghan territory.
Pakistan urged India to abandon what it called baseless allegations and instead confront “growing extremism and religiously motivated terrorism” at home, including what it described as state-facilitated Islamophobia, which it said posed risks not only to Indian society but also to regional stability.
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