Jan 01 , 2016
News
Pakistan to raise all issues in upcoming FS-level talks
By Ijaz KakakhelISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah on Thursday said Pakistan would raise all issues of concern in the upcoming foreign secretary level talks between Pakistan and India.
During the weekly briefing, the spokesman said the date was being finalised for the meeting to be held in January 2016. The foreign secretaries of both the countries would finalise schedule of meetings of various segments of the comprehensive bilateral dialogue in accordance with the joint statement issued on December 9, 2015, he said.
“Pakistan and India have serious issues and disputes that need to be resolved peacefully through dialogue,” he asserted. The dialogue process, which would start as soon as foreign secretaries agree on a schedule, would include matters related to peace and security, Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, Wullar Barrage, Tulbul Navigation project, economic and commercial cooperation, counter-terrorism, narcotics control and humanitarian issues, people to people exchanges and religious tourism, he maintained. Answering a question regarding Afghanistan, Qazi said that dates were also being finalised for first meeting of the Quadrilateral Coordination Committee comprising Pakistan, Afghanistan, US and China in Islamabad, which is expected in the second half of January. Qazi said that Islamic State (IS) has no presence in Pakistan and some people were using the name of the terrorist organisation individually. He said that some suspects related to IS were arrested in Pakistan and they were being interrogated. Pakistan’s security forces were ready to fight the danger posed by IS, the FO spokesman claimed.
Terming 2015 as a ‘year of successes’, Qazi said that the first month of 2016 would be important for Pak-India talks and restoration of peace process in Afghanistan. The spokesman said under the vision and guidance of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan was able to significantly enhance its relations with all neighbouring countries.
“Non-interference in internal affairs of other countries, support for peaceful resolution of conflicts, emphasis on peace, stability, connectivity and development remained the hallmark of Pakistan’s foreign policy, he remarked.
“The Heart of Asia conference was a resounding success in this regard. High-level exchange of visits took place with many countries during the year including China, Turkey, Qatar, Belarus, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, India and Azerbaijan,” he informed. He said the prime minister also visited Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Turkey, United States, China, UK, Russia, France, Belarus, Malta, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. He also attended the UN General Assembly session in New York.
In 2016, Pakistan would continue the momentum generated by its foreign policy in 2015 to further enhance Pakistan’s national interests and promote peace and stability in the region, he concluded.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk