ISLAMABAD: On Monday, the Foreign Office reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the One-China Policy, dismissing recent media speculations as unfounded efforts to damage Pakistan-China relations.
In an official statement, the Foreign Office reiterated that the One-China Policy remains a central pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy and that the country’s position on the issue has not changed.
This statement followed growing criticism over Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s participation in an event sponsored by the New Federal State of China (NFSC), an anti-China organization. While the Foreign Office did not directly address the specific media reports in question, it emphasized Pakistan’s strong strategic partnership with China, calling any allegations baseless.
Naqvi, who faced backlash over his involvement, had previously clarified that the event was not anti-China but did not comment on its NFSC affiliation.
The Foreign Office chose not to delve into the controversy surrounding the NFSC’s involvement in organizing the event. However, a diplomatic source told Dawn that the event was hosted by Gunster Strategies, a lobbying firm with ties to allies of former US President Donald Trump. The NFSC was reportedly one of the event’s sponsors. Gunster Strategies held the event to mark Trump’s inauguration, although Naqvi claimed the event he attended was intended for youth.
The source also revealed that Naqvi’s office had coordinated his participation directly, bypassing Pakistan’s embassy in Washington, which only provided transportation for the minister. Naqvi allegedly relied on a personal contact in Washington to arrange his attendance.
The Chinese embassy in Washington has reportedly raised concerns over the incident with Pakistan’s embassy. The Foreign Office reaffirmed the strong ties between Pakistan and China, highlighting the strategic partnership built on mutual trust, shared values, and cooperation on critical issues.
Attempts to reach Mr. Naqvi for further comments were unsuccessful.
