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No signs of Iranian guards’ presence on Pakistan soil: FO
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday clarified that there are no signs of Iranian guards’ presence on Pakistan’s land.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam during her weekly briefing said, “Our authorities have combed Pakistani territory in search of the missing Iranian guards, however, there are no clues that they are in Pakistan.” The spokesperson said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also discussed this issue on telephone last night and the tone of discussion was very polite.
She said Pakistan and Iran enjoy deep-rooted multifaceted ties and were cooperating on the issue of missing guards.
The spokesperson said Iranian guards went missing at least 5-10 kilometers inside Sistan and an organization, Jaish-ul-Adl, claimed the responsibility for the missing guards.
She said Pakistan will extend all possible cooperation to Iran for the recovery of these guards.
Replying to a question, Tasnim Aslam said the dead body of a killed Iranian guard was not found from Pakistani territory, which also gives the hint about other guards.
The spokesperson said on the issue of missing Iranian security guards, Pakistan is neither apologetic with Iran nor wants that Iran will have aggressive attitude.
Morning Glory
Regarding the Morning Glory vessel, the spokesperson informed that the Pakistani crew is likely to arrive today or tomorrow. She said after necessary investigations in Tripoli, Libyan authorities have cleared all of them.
The spokesperson said since adoption of UN Resolution on 19th of this month, illegal transportation of Libyan oil has been declared a crime.
She said as precautionary measures, Pakistanis who work on such merchant vessels abroad, need to be very careful and make sure they are working with well-established companies to avoid any future complications.
Nuclear Supplier Group
On Nuclear Supplier Group, the spokesperson said Pakistan feels it qualifies for NSG status.
“We have sought the status of NGS for our energy requirements,” she added.
The spokesperson said the world has acknowledged Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state and there are also voices that Pakistan cannot be kept away from Nuclear Supplier Group.
Referring to recently held Nuclear Security Summit, Tasnim Aslam said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif made a very strong point for inclusion of Pakistan in NSG on non-discriminatory basis.
Modi’s Statements
Regarding Narendra Modi’s statements, the spokesperson said it is unfortunate that Pakistan becomes an issue during the election campaign in India.
She said Pakistan strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. She reiterated Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir dispute and urged India to sit with Pakistan for the resolution of all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir.
The spokesperson said, “Pakistan wants to resolve the dispute through dialogue as it is imperative for development of the region and welfare of people.”
She said Pakistan wanted the international community to convince India for resumption of composite dialogue, therefore Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his recent statement clarified that Pakistan wants to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir issue with India through dialogue process but India is reluctant to do so, therefore, common friends like United States should force India to come to the negotiating table to resolve the dispute.
She said Jammu and Kashmir issue is still on the agenda of Security Council of the United Nations and presence of UN military group across Line of Control in Kashmir indicated that this is internationally recognized dispute and it is not the internal matter of India.
The spokesperson said people of the two countries should get the benefit of the trade and economic ties.
Drone Attacks
On the issue of drone attacks, the spokesperson hoped the United States will maintain its recent policy on drones as they are counterproductive.
She said there has been a broad international consensus against drones. Referring to EU Parliament’s resolution, she told it demands from all European countries to refrain from becoming party on drone strikes.
Bangladesh Flag Ban
In reply to a question regarding Bangladesh government’s directive for its cricket spectators, she said it is a matter to be looked into by the International Cricket Council.
She said spectators are well-aware of their feelings and can better decide about their support for any country.
US Media Report
Commenting on a report publish in an American newspaper, about shifting of Al-Qaeda leadership from Pakistan to Syria, the spokesperson said there has been no proof that Al-Qaeda leadership is moving to Syria from Pakistan and the report published in the newspaper is baseless and wrong.
The American newspaper while quoting Director of CIA John Brennan said that dozens of militant fighters, including some mid-level planners, have traveled to Syria from Pakistan in recent months.
APP
Courtesy www.geo.tv