Pakistan blames India for blocking SAARC, denies security talks amid regional tensions

Pakistan has accused India of blocking regional cooperation by preventing the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) from functioning.

During a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Khan said Pakistan is ready to host the next SAARC summit, but India continues to obstruct the process.

“The reasons are obvious. It is our neighbor to the east, India, which has been working to stymie any further progress of SAARC,” he said.

Khan also alleged that India sponsors terrorism in Pakistan through operatives based in Afghanistan. “The main problem in our relations with Afghanistan is terrorism, which India is sponsoring,” he said.

When asked about reports of Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh exploring alternatives to SAARC, Khan reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to SAARC’s charter. “Pakistan remains committed to the principles and objectives of the SAARC charter,” he said.

Responding to queries about any contact between Pakistani and Indian National Security Advisors (NSAs) during the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in China, the spokesperson denied any such meeting.

“Our NSA attended the meeting, but there was no contact between the NSAs of the two countries,” he clarified.

On the Abraham Accords and Pakistan's policy on Israel, Khan said Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance at the OIC Ministerial in Istanbul. “Our position is clear, support for a two-state solution and full statehood for Palestine. There is no change in that,” he stated.

Addressing questions about Afghan refugees holding expired Proof of Registration (POR) cards as of June 30, 2025, Khan said the matter is under government review.

“The Foreign Ministry is in touch with SAFRON and the Ministry of Interior. A decision will be shared once the policy is finalized,” he said.