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Kerry to visit Pakistan this month for Pak-US strategic dialogue process
FO spokesperson says Indian firing sheer violation of intentional laws, bilateral agreementsAPP
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and United States will hold strategic dialogue here in the current month and US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Pakistan to lead American delegation in this strategic dialogue process.
While addressing weekly press briefing on Thursday here, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said that dates and agenda for Pakistan-American strategic dialogue were being finalised. To a question about Indian firing in Shakargarh, the spokesperson said Pakistan lodged a strong protest with the India government and the Indian deputy high commissioner was summoned to the Foreign Office yesterday to hand over a protest note containing the details of the incident.
“Our soldiers were asked for a flag meeting from the other side with white flags and then they were ambushed,” she said. The spokesperson said that this was sheer violation of intentional laws and bilateral agreements and understandings. She said that Pakistan had demanded India to investigate the incident and give exemplary punishment to those responsible for this unprovoked firing.
To a question about case of Mumbai attack's main accused, Zakur Rehman Lakhvi, the spokesperson regretted that the un-necessary hype had been created on a sub-judice matter. She said that the case was progressing well but the media trial would not serve any purpose. She pointed out that Samjhota Express terror attack took place two years before Mumbai attack but no progress had been made in that case.
She said the accused in Samjhota Express Swami Aseem Anand, who had confessed his involvement and those of military officers and prominent leaders in the attack were released on bail. The spokesperson said that it was disappointing that India had not shared any findings of the militant attack with Pakistan despite assurance at the highest level. To a question, the spokesperson reiterated Pakistan's resolve against terrorism.
“We are working with the international community including Afghanistan and the United States to this menace,” she said. “We have undertaken a comprehensive operation against the militants, and it is successfully being carried out across the board against all terrorists,” she added. To a question about future prospects of Pakistan-India relations, the spokesperson said Indian side canceled the scheduled foreign secretary level talks and now onus lies with India to take the initiative to resume Pak-India dialogue process.
Answering a question about Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, the spokesperson categorically stated that Pakistan remained committed to the pipeline project which was important to Pakistan's energy requirements. She said both the sides were bilaterally engaged to take forward the project. To a question about draw down effect of international forces from Afghanistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan had consistently supported a peaceful and responsible draw down from the neighboring country.
She expressed the confidence that transition in Afghanistan would be completed in an orderly and successful manner. She said that peace and stability in Afghanistan was vital for Pakistan and the region. She said that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive and positive role after the draw down of the international forces from Afghanistan. To a question about the achievements and challenges of foreign policy during 2014, she said that Pakistan witnessed a great success and progress in its relations with Afghanistan, Iran and saw a very positive trajectory.
“We hope to build on these relations in the New Year,” she said. She said understanding with the United States also increased during the last year while new vistas were being opened in relations with Russia. About the relations with Muslims countries, the spokesperson said that there had been more engagements with Muslim countries during this year. The spokesperson said with European Union, Pakistan's ties started with a good note of getting status of GSP plus and Pak-EU relations remained steady in this year.
Regarding challenges, the spokesperson said foreign office succeeded in improving the perception regarding security situation in Pakistan and told the international community that it had been taking a number of steps to improve security and fight extremism and terrorism.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk