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‘No appeal for universal aid for IDPs’
*FO says Pakistan to meet expenditures through its own resources *Pakistan in close contact with Beijing, Moscow over Zarb-e-Azb
APPISLAMABAD – Foreign Office on Thursday said that Pakistan has not launched any appeal to international community for assistance and help to meet expenditures being incurred on the internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to the operation in the North Waziristan tribal agency.
Addressing a weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said that Pakistan would meet the requirements of these displaced families from its own resources and had not made any appeal to the international community for financial assistance in this regard.
On the instructions of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the government had not asked for any international assistance as military operation was an internal issue and it was the responsibility of the government to meet their requirements, she said. Pakistan had received good and positive response from the world community on the North Waziristan operation, he said.
She said that Pakistan was in close contact with Beijing and Moscow regarding the operation in North Waziristan. After the 2005 earthquake, Pakistan indicated to the United Nations for its requirements to help in rescue and relief operation and international community extended its help through UN, the spokesperson told a questioner.
Answering a question about any confirmation from Afghan government regarding inflow of displaced persons to their side, the spokesperson said that Pakistan had not officially received any confirmation from Afghan side in this regard. However, she explained that some of the displaced families went to Afghan side to live with their relatives and according to latest reports about 14,000 have returned as the situation was improving following the operation in North Waziristan.
On the question of any interference by Pakistan in smooth transfer of power in Afghanistan following the presidential elections, the spokesperson said it was the issue of Afghan people and they have to do it by themselves. She said Pakistan had already announced its full support for a peaceful democratic transition in Afghanistan and extended all possible support for the efforts aimed at holding peaceful elections.
“We took several measures to enhance vigilance and security along the border, during the first and second round of elections on April 5 and June 14, 2014, respectively,” he said. "Pakistan has also consistently emphasized that it would respect the democratic choice of the Afghan people," she added. A peaceful, stable, unified and prosperous Afghanistan was vital for regional peace and stability, he said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk