ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Thursday dismissed reports suggesting it had reached a secret agreement with China to allow the establishment of a naval base at Gwadar port.

“This speculation is entirely baseless, and we categorically reject it. Pakistan has no intentions of offering bases to any foreign government or military that could be used against another country,” said Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch during the weekly briefing.

Her response followed a report from a U.S.-based website, which claimed that Pakistan had secretly agreed to let China set up a naval base in Gwadar. The report further alleged that the Biden administration had allowed China, seen as a key adversary, to establish a strategic foothold in the region.

Chinese diplomatic sources also strongly refuted these claims, asserting that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are purely economic projects. They emphasized that any suggestion of strategic military purposes behind these initiatives is false.

Since the inception of CPEC in 2013, some Western countries and media outlets have speculated about China’s alleged military ambitions in Gwadar. However, both Pakistan and China have consistently denied these claims and have invited other countries to join CPEC for mutual economic benefit.

Indus Water Treaty (IWT) Notice

When asked about India’s notice seeking to revisit the Indus Water Treaty, the spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the treaty, which she called “the gold standard of bilateral water-sharing agreements.”

“We believe the treaty has served both Pakistan and India well over the past several decades. Pakistan remains fully committed to its implementation and expects India to uphold its obligations as well,” she stated.

She emphasized the importance of preserving ecological balance and resolving treaty-related issues through the established mechanism of Indus Commissioners.

Afghan Diplomats

Addressing a query on Afghan diplomats disrespecting Pakistan’s national anthem at a ceremony in Peshawar, Baloch said the issue was under review.

“We have lodged a strong protest with the Afghan authorities, and a decision will be made after internal discussions and consultations with the Afghan government. Pakistan reserves the right to take appropriate diplomatic measures in line with international norms,” the spokesperson added.