Pakistan on Thursday called for the swift and mutually beneficial resolution to the trade war triggered by the imposition of ‘reciprocal’ tariffs by the Donald Trump administration.
In a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan noted that the controversial tariff policies could cause broader consequences for global trade, particularly on developing economies. Stressing on the consistent nature of global commerce, he noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a high-powered committee to thoroughly examine the impact of any newly imposed tariffs.
“I agree with the assessment that we emphasize the importance of bilateral trade in ensuring more development in the developing countries. It is a very important vehicle for common prosperity. Trade always benefits both parties, and the U.S. is our biggest export destination,” he said.
Palestine
During his briefing, the spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for an upcoming high-level international conference scheduled for June 2025 that aims to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian conflict and advance the two-state solution. He lauded France and Saudi Arabia for co-chairing the preparatory consultations for the conference. “Pakistan hopes the conference will rise to the occasion and restore hope in peace and justice through meaningful action,” he said, stressing on the need for a durable ceasefire, end of the Gaza blockade, guaranteed humanitarian access, and protection for civilians and aid workers.
Afghanistan
To a question on Pakistan’s ties with Afghanistan, the spokesperson said terrorism remained a major impediment to improving relations. “We have been trying to improve relations but the major roadblock, of course, remains the security situation and the sanctuaries enjoyed by terrorists,” he said.
TO another question, he reiterated that weapons abandoned by U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan were being used in attacks against security forces within Pakistani territory. “We have also emphasized in the past the harmful consequences of these weapons which have been left behind. And this was also highlighted in the telephonic conversation between the two ministers of Pakistan and the United States,” he said, referring to recent phone contacts between Washington and Islamabad.
India
The Foreign Office also rejected India’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, describing it as discriminatory and infringing on the religious and economic rights of Indian Muslims. “About Waqf Amendment Act, we strongly believe it is an infringement over the religious and economic rights of Indian Muslims,” he said. “Particularly the act usurps the property rights of Muslim community, and could potentially dispossess them of a number of mosques, shrines and other holy places,” he added.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill has drawn sharp criticism from Muslim leaders and opposition lawmakers, who say it threatens religious autonomy. The legislation calls for the financial audits of Waqf institutions with annual incomes exceeding 100,000 Indian rupees, lowers the mandatory contributions to Waqf Boards from 7 to 5%, and introduces a centralized digital portal for property oversight. It also calls for the inclusion of Muslim women and non-Muslims in the Waqf Board management.