ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) – Pakistani foreign office on Thursday said the four-point peace initiative presented by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during 70th session of United Nations General Assembly is the most suitable way forward for reducing tensions between Pakistan and India.
Pakistan is ready to hold talks with India but no pre-conditions will be accepted.
Briefing newsmen in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said Pakistan has never shied away from talks with New Delhi. We have insisted for negotiations on all issues including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. He said Pakistan is ready for talks with India but pre-conditions are not acceptable.
Responding to a question, Qazi Khalilullah said the purpose of handing over dossiers to the UN Secretary General was to inform him about the Indian involvement in fomenting terrorism in Pakistan. He said that Pakistan will continue to inform the United Nations about its concerns in this regard in future as well.
When asked about the eruption of violence in India on cow-slaughtering, the foreign office spokesperson said the country which claims to be a secular state should guarantee the basic rights of minorities. Attacks on Muslims on the issue of cow slaughtering are beyond comprehension and a cause of concern for the Muslim Ummah.
To a question about nuclear cooperation, Qazi Khalilullah said Pakistan seeks cooperation of the international community including the US on civil nuclear energy. He said there should be non-discriminatory approach on nuclear issues including access to peaceful use of nuclear energy. He said the country is producing nuclear energy to meet its energy demands.
The spokesperson strongly rejected allegations that Pakistani agencies or forces are involved in attacks in Afghanistan. He said we condemn the occupation of Afghan territory by any group.
Qazi Khalilullah said Islamabad has been helping Kabul in countering terrorism and the development process. We are in touch with the Afghan authorities to restore trust level between the two countries. He said Pakistan has supported intra Afghan dialogue process and also hosted the first round in Murree. He said if the two sides agreed, we are ready to facilitate them.
To a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We will not tolerate the presence of DA’ISH or any of its associated group on our land.
About the Russian airstrikes in Syria, the spokesperson said Pakistan has a principled position on the issue based on neutrality, impartiality, and respect of territorial integrity and sovereignity of Syria. Voicing concerns over the violence in Syria, he said the government and the opposition groups should settle their matters peacefully. He maintained that Pakistan stands for peaceful solution of the issue through dialogue led by the Syrian people.
When asked about the Mina tragedy, the spokesperson said all out efforts are being made to locate the forty-three missing Pakistani pilgrims. He said according to the latest information, eighty-nine Pakistani pilgrims were martyred and five others wounded in the tragedy.
He said the Saudi authorities extended full cooperation to Pakistan in identification of martyrs and finding of missing pilgrims.
He said Saudi Arabia has been making excellent Hajj arrangements over the last many years and we have full confidence in their abilities to manage this process.
