Pakistan has declined Switzerland’s invitation to the Ukraine Peace Summit, citing scheduling conflicts and other considerations.
“Pakistan received an invitation from Switzerland for the conference, which is being held from June 15th to 16th. However, due to a variety of factors, including scheduling challenges, Pakistan will not be participating in this conference,” said FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during the weekly media briefing.
The two-day summit at the Bürgenstock resort near Lucerne, Switzerland, aims to gather international support for Ukraine’s vision of peace, as detailed in Ukrainian President Zelensky’s ten-point peace formula.
Despite invitations to 160 countries, only about 90 are attending, with notable absences including China and several significant countries from the Global South, which have shown reluctance to join an anti-Russia forum and participate in peace discussions without Moscow.
Beijing has denied these allegations.
Expectations for tangible outcomes are modest due to Moscow’s absence.
Islamabad’s decision to skip the conference is a diplomatic move to maintain neutrality in the conflict, especially since Russia is not participating. Pakistan has historically maintained good relations with Ukraine, having purchased weapons systems from it in the past, but has also been strengthening ties with Russia in recent years.
“We reiterate our call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and emphasize the need for diplomacy and dialogue to reach an early negotiated end to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia,” the spokesperson stated.
“Pakistan stands for the universal and consistent application of UN Charter principles, including the non-use or threat of use of force, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, peaceful settlement of disputes, and equal security for all states,” she added.
IIOJK Attacks
Spokesperson Baloch rejected Delhi’s allegations of involvement in the recent surge in violence in Indian-held Kashmir.
“The Indian occupation authorities and media have a habit of making such irresponsible statements. No one takes these allegations seriously,” she said. In response to another question, she mentioned that these were unsubstantiated news reports that did not merit her comment.
Police in Indian-held Kashmir have accused Pakistan of orchestrating a series of attacks that resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals and left dozens injured over the past three days.
