News
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Pakistan to discuss drone strikes with Kerry this month* FO says agenda of US secretary of state’s visit being finalised
* Pakistan sincere in its efforts to see peace, stability in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office has said Pakistan will take up the issue of drone strikes with US Secretary of State John Kerry during his upcoming visit to Pakistan later this month.
Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, giving details of the visit of John Kerry in his weekly press briefing, said that drone strikes were a breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty and a violation of international laws and human rights, besides being counter-productive in fight against terrorism. He said that the issue would also be discussed in the forthcoming contacts with the United States.
He said that Kerry would visit Pakistan towards the end of this month to discuss bilateral relations, situation in the region and other subjects of mutual interest. He said the exact dates and agenda of the visit were being finalised by the two countries.
The spokesman, while commenting on the Afghan army chief’s statement accusing Pakistan of controlling Taliban, said Pakistan was sincere in its efforts to see peace and stability in Afghanistan.
“The best route to achieve peace and stability is robust reconciliation process, for which Pakistan is willing to extend every possible help,” he said.
The spokesman hoped that sincerity of Pakistan would be appreciated and reciprocated, and negative statements avoided.
To another question, he said former foreign secretary Shahryar Ahmad Khan had been asked by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to conduct Track-II diplomacy with India, and he was already in India for the purpose.
He said that Track-II diplomacy had always been part of the overall peace process with India, complementing and supporting efforts for peace wherever possible.
Relying to a question on reports of Indian Border Security Force facilitating militants entering Pakistan, he said the two countries had border management mechanism, and “they contact each other when the need arises”.
He, however, said Pakistan expected that its policy of having good neighbourly relations with India would be reciprocated.
About the recent changes in Egypt, he said Pakistan and Egypt enjoyed close friendly relations based on bonds of fraternity and mutual respect.
“Pakistan has been following events in Egypt and hopes that the Egyptian people will deal with the situation in a democratic manner.”
Commenting on the legality of change of the government in Egypt, he said Pakistan was following a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, but “it stresses the values of democracy”, and that aspirations of the people should always be upheld.
The spokesman said Pakistan and China had signed eight agreements and MoUs during the current visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the country.
He said these included an MoU for Pak-China Economic Corridor, which envisages establishment of a ministerial-level joint cooperation committee and joint working groups for formulating long-term plan for the economic corridor and promoting infrastructure.
The spokesman said that other documents signed on Friday included an agreement on economic and technical cooperation, a letter of exchange on anti-polio equipment, a letter of exchange for bilateral training course on textile management and flood relief, an MoU on cooperation between Communist Party of China and the PML-N, cooperation between Chinese Centre for Contemporary World Study and Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, an agreement on laying of Pakistan-China cross-border cable system and an agreement between the Punjab government and ZTE company of China. To a question, he said that Pakistan welcomes the decision of the Saudi king for extension of three months in the deadline given to expatriates to correct their status.
He hoped that by the time the next deadline expires, the situation would improve and a minimum number of Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia would be affected. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk