Pakistan on Tuesday firmly rejected what it called “baseless and unfounded” allegations regarding the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In a statement, the Foreign Office clarified that Pakistani authorities have not been officially contacted by the Ukrainian government, nor has any credible or verifiable evidence been provided to support the claims.
“The Government of Pakistan will engage with Ukrainian authorities to seek clarification on the matter,” the statement said.
The response follows remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who alleged on Monday that foreign “mercenaries” from countries including China, Pakistan, and parts of Africa were fighting alongside Russian forces in northeastern Ukraine, and pledged a firm response.
Zelenskiy has previously accused Moscow of recruiting Chinese fighters for its war effort against Ukraine – charges Beijing denied. North Korea has also provided thousands of its own troops in Russia’s Kursk region.
“We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defence of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles,” Zelenskiy wrote on X (formerly Twitter) after visiting a frontline area in the northeastern Kharkiv region.
“Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and African countries in the war. We will respond.”
Earlier this week, Pakistan underscored in the UN Security Council the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts and a comprehensive ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
In 2023, Islamabad rejected claims that Pakistan agreed to supply weapons to Ukraine in return for securing an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, saying the country maintained a “policy of strict neutrality”.
The rebuttal came after The Intercept, a US publication, claimed in its latest report that Pakistan supplied weapons to Ukraine via the US.
The publication backed its claims by two sources with knowledge of the arrangement, saying that internal documents from both the Pakistani and American governments confirm the development.
Source: Express Tribune
