Oct 09 , 2015
News
Pakistan seeking US help on civil nuclear energy
* FO says there should be non-discriminatory approach on access to peaceful use of nuclear energy * Pakistani agencies not involved in Kunduz attack
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Thursday Pakistan is seeking cooperation of the international community, including the United States, on civil nuclear energy.
“There should be non-discriminatory approach on nuclear issues, including access to peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah told a weekly briefing in Islamabad. “Pakistan is producing nuclear energy to meet its energy demands,” he added.
A report published in The Washington Post on Wednesday suggested that the US is exploring an option that could pave the way for a civil nuclear deal with Pakistan like the one concluded with India in 2005. Khalilullah said Pakistan is ready for talks with India but pre-conditions are not acceptable. “Pakistan has never shied away from talks with New Delhi and we have insisted for negotiations on all issues, including the core dispute of Kashmir,” the FO spokesperson said.
He maintained that the four-point initiative presented by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the United Nations General Assembly is the only way forward for reducing tensions and resolution of the outstanding disputes between the two neighbouring countries.
“The purpose of handing over dossiers to the UN secretary general was to inform him about the Indian involvement in fomenting terrorism in Pakistan,” the official said in his response to a question, adding that the country will continue to apprise the UN about its concerns in this regard in the future as well.
Commenting on India’s far right political party Shiv Sena’s call for the cancellation of Pakistan’s popular ghazal singer Ghulam Ali’s concert in Mumbai, the spokesman said it was ‘regrettable’ that Pakistani artists were receiving threats in India. He said that cultural exchanges were vital for the improvement of relations between the two countries.
Regarding the recent upsurge in violence over cow-slaughtering in India, the spokesperson said the country which claims to be a secular state should guarantee basic rights to its minorities. “Attacks on Muslims on the issue of cow-slaughtering are beyond comprehension and is a cause of concern for the Muslim Ummah,” he added.
“The export of beef is not possible without the slaughtering of cows,” he said, claiming that India is known as the world’s second largest exporter of beef. Khalilullah also strongly rejected allegations that Pakistani agencies were involved in Kunduz attack in Afghanistan, saying Pakistan condemns the occupation of Afghan territory by any group.
“We are in touch with Afghan authorities to restore a trust level between the two countries,” the FO spokesperson said, and added that Pakistan has not only supported the intra-Afghan dialogue process but also hosted the first rout of talks in Murree. The spokesperson said Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. “We will not tolerate the presence of Daish [Islamic State militant group] or any of its associated groups on our land,” he added.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk