Pakistan on Thursday rejected India’s remarks on the ongoing legislative assembly elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), describing them as “baseless and politically motivated” and saying the polls were being conducted peacefully and transparently under the territory’s constitutional and legal framework.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told in a weekly media briefing that Pakistan maintained Jammu and Kashmir remained an internationally recognised disputed territory whose final status should be determined in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Responding to a question on Bangladesh, Andrabi said Pakistan’s engagement with Dhaka continued through normal diplomatic channels and was not confined to any single event.

He said Pakistan did not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and had no comment on recent developments in Bangladesh. Referring to a statement issued by India, Andrabi said it was a matter between New Delhi and Dhaka, adding that the people of Bangladesh were fully capable of resolving their issues independently without external interference.

He said Pakistan respected Bangladesh’s sovereign choices and would continue to cooperate with Bangladesh for mutual progress and prosperity.

Andrabi said resolving the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz was key to easing the wider conflict in the Gulf and Middle East, particularly between Iran and the United States, reaffirming Pakistan’s support for diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting settlement of the regional crisis.

He said Pakistan remained actively engaged with regional countries to promote de-escalation and dialogue, adding that progress on the Strait of Hormuz would help create conditions for resolving broader tensions, including renewed engagement between Iran and the United States.

Andrabi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from Aug. 6 to 8, where he was scheduled to hold talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on strengthening bilateral relations and exchanging views on regional and international developments.

He also said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar participated in the Ministerial Meeting on Jerusalem in Amman on Aug. 5, where Pakistan reiterated its support for the Palestinian people and reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Responding to a question on Afghanistan, Andrabi said Pakistan had repeatedly conveyed to the Afghan authorities its concerns over the use of Afghan soil by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan and had urged Kabul to ensure its territory was not used for terrorism against any other country.