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Onus now on India to resume composite dialogue: FO
Tasnim says relationship between Pakistan, Afghanistan broadeningINP
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Thursday categorically stated that onus is now on India to take initiative to resume composite dialogue between the two countries.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam in her weekly news briefing said that India unilaterally cancelled scheduled Foreign Secretaries level talks without any valid reason. She said that Pakistan believes that peace in neighbourhood is important for development. She said that Pakistan acted in good faith and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accepted invitation from India to attend oath taking ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
She said that relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is broadening and deepening after the installation of the new government in Afghanistan. She reiterated that Pakistan wants stability, peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. She pointed out that the prime minister is in London to attend the conference on Afghanistan. He will address the conference and share Pakistan’s perspective on Afghanistan. He will also met with Afghan leadership there.
To a question, she said that US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to meet the prime minister in London. To a question, what will be the agenda of their meeting, she said that discussion is likely to focus on Afghanistan. Answering a question, she said that Pakistan is practicing the policy of non-interference in Afghanistan and expected that everyone else will practice non-interference. She said that the statements of Afghan leadership are very encouraging saying that they will not allow Afghan territory to be used against any neighbor, and will also not allow proxy war on its territory.
To a question, she said at this stage there is no visit scheduled of US President Obama to Pakistan. She said that President Obama telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz about two weeks ago and apart from bilateral relations, he also informed the prime minister about his forthcoming visit to India. To another question, she said that the visit of the Iranian Parliament speaker is reflective of multi-layered and deep rooted relations between Pakistan and Iran. She said that the Iranian Speaker is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of the National Assembly speaker as part of frequent exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries.
Replying to a question, she said that Pakistan views connectivity is engine to growth and development in this region. She said that the Economic Corridor between Pakistan and China will give an impetus to economic development. She said that Pakistan is also implementing several projects of connectivity between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
She said that Pakistan will not tolerate DAISH in the country. She said that Pakistan is taking comprehensive action against all terrorists. She said recently police made some arrests in connection with wall-chalking in different cities and investigations are going on. Replying to a question regarding action by Iranian jets in Iraq, she said that whatever action Iran is taking, she is sure, is taking in coordination and consultation with Iraq in the DAISH concentrating area.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk