ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has termed the Indian revocation of special status for disputed Kashmir a “unilateral and unjust” move that will jeopardize peace in the region.
“Just when the Afghan peace process was making a smooth headway, India has played the role of a spoiler by creating this distraction,” he told Arab News from Jeddah where he was attending the emergency meeting of the OIC on Kashmir hosted on Tuesday.
Qureshi said, “Russia, China, Central Asian Republics, and Pakistan all have shared objective to have peace restored in Afghanistan, the cease-fire implemented, and stability returning to the country.”
“This kind of diversion at this stage, at such a sensitive point, neither serves the region nor helps the US interests. They [India] have rather hindered [the process] through this destruction.”
Qureshi said that Islamabad will “use all diplomatic, legal and political options against the unilateral and unjust Indian decision of revoking special constitutional status of Indian occupied Kashmir.”
Pakistan has already initiated efforts to lobby world powers, he continued.
“Pakistan has not only taken up the issue with United States but also has started using its diplomatic contacts with China, Russia and other powers of the world.”
He said that US President Donald Trump had offered to mediate on Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India which New Delhi unfortunately rejected.
“Now, Pakistan will use United Nations Security Council as well as other humanitarian and legal ways to take up the volatile issue of Kashmir to save the Kashmiri brothers,” he added. “Our legal experts are looking into all the possible dimensions to use the International Court of Justice or other legal platforms.”
Qureshi said that “the world has not only condemned India’s ruthlessly imposed decision on Kashmiri people but has rejected it altogether.”
He said the Kashmiri diaspora is in “sheer anguish” while voices within India are condemning the move. “Indian legal experts, themselves, are saying that the decision is unlawful and can be a big challenge for its government. It will create chaos within India.”
Pakistan has constituted a seven-member committee to review the political, diplomatic and legal aspects to prepare a proposed response in view of the critical situation of the Indian administered Kashmir.
According to the official notification, the committee comprises Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Attorney-General of Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, renowned international law expert Ahmer Bilal Soofi, as well as three top military generals including chiefs of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Operations, and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
India’s Kashmir decree a ‘spoiler’ in Afghan peace process — Qureshi
India’s Kashmir decree a ‘spoiler’ in Afghan peace process — Qureshi
- Says New Delhi’s revocation of Kashmir’s special status will have regional implications
- Pakistan vowed to make all diplomatic and political efforts to challenge the Indian move
Pakistan, ADB reaffirm partnership to push IMF-backed reforms
- ADB signals further budget support aligned with Pakistan’s $7 billion IMF program
- Finance minister outlines focus on privatization, energy reforms, project execution
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday reaffirmed their strategic partnership to accelerate IMF-backed economic reforms, as Islamabad seeks to sustain macroeconomic stabilization and deepen private-sector-led growth.
The commitment came during a meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and a senior ADB delegation in Islamabad, where both sides reviewed Pakistan’s reform trajectory under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and discussed ways to improve development impact and project execution.
Pakistan has been pursuing wide-ranging fiscal, energy and structural reforms under the $7 billion IMF loan program after years of balance-of-payments stress and repeated stabilization cycles. While recent reviews have pointed to improved macroeconomic indicators, the government has stressed that sustained growth will depend on translating policy commitments into implementation, particularly in taxation, state-owned enterprises and the energy sector.
“ADB representatives expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s reform progress under the IMF program and confirmed ADB’s readiness to provide further budget support aligned with the EFF,” the finance ministry said in a statement.
“They outlined future areas of engagement, including insurance sector reforms, public-private partnerships, pension reforms, and continued support for climate resilience and social sector development.”
Aurangzeb told the delegation that the government was focused on improving project readiness and execution, noting that delays had historically weakened the impact of development spending, especially in social sectors and climate-related initiatives. He said visible progress on privatization and energy sector restructuring was essential to building investor confidence and sustaining reform momentum.
The finance minister highlighted recent steps, including the privatization of a small bank, renewed interest in strategic transactions and ongoing work to restructure electricity distribution companies. He also pointed to encouraging trends in exports, remittances and services, particularly information technology, while cautioning that growth needed to remain balanced and sustainable.
According to the statement, ADB officials reiterated the bank’s emphasis on results-based engagement and faster project implementation, saying streamlined processes were critical for timely disbursements and measurable outcomes. The delegation also flagged expanded support for private-sector development through guarantees, public-private partnerships and potential infrastructure transactions.
