Dec 03 , 2015
News
Nawaz, Ghani to inaugurate Heart of Asia Conference on Tuesday
FO spokesperson says agenda of conference is aimed at cementing regional ties
INP
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan wants result-oriented dialogue with India to resolve all outstanding issues including Kashmir and promote bilateral relations, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah reiterated on Thursday.In a weekly news briefing, the spokesman said that we are waiting how to move forward after the meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Paris. He said that two day Heart of Asia Conference will begin in Islamabad from Tuesday and theme of the conference is “Istanbul Process - enhanced cooperation in countering security threat and promoting connectivity in the heart of Asia”.
He said that according to the programme, the conference will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. He said that confirmation of the Afghan president’s visit to Pakistan is awaited. He said that so far the foreign ministers of China, Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan have confirmed their participation from the participating countries. Other confirmation list is being updated on daily basis.
He said that agenda of the conference is aimed at cementing regional ties. It also aimed at expanding cooperation among Afghanistan and regional partners in countering terrorism and elimination of poverty and extremism.
Answering a question, the spokesman said that the Islamic State is a terrorist organisation and added there are no footprints of it in Pakistan. He said that Pakistan is committed to root out terrorism from the country and in this connection Zarb-e-Azb military operation is going on successfully.
He said that Pakistan is also cooperating at international level to eliminate terrorism by intelligence sharing. He said Pakistan is in favour of coordinated action against terrorists and not in favour of joint action. He strongly condemned terrorists incident in Tunisia on 24th of last month in which fourteen precious lives of security personnel lost. He also sympathised with the bereaved families.
To a question regarding statement of Indian ambassador to Afghanistan, the spokesman said that it is against diplomatic norms for an ambassador to try to undermine relations of his host country with a third country. He expected all regional countries to support efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
Replying to a question, he said there are 2308 Pakistanis serving sentences in jails in Saudi Arabia. He also said that over two thousand three hundred Pakistanis are awaiting deportation in various detention centres in Saudi Arabia. He said these people involved in Umra and Hajj visa violations.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk