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Friday, May 17, 2013

FO non-committal on Altaf’s anti-Pakistan statements

* Pakistan, China to sign MoUs during Chinese prime minister’s visit

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office on Thursday chose to remain non-committal over the controversial statements of MQM chief Altaf Hussain and tried to sweep the issue under the carpet.
However, upon insistence of journalists, Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry told the weekly news briefing that he needs political guidance in order to comment on this issue. Separately, he said Pakistan and China would sign several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for cooperation in various fields during the forthcoming visit of Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to Pakistan. Chaudhry said that details of these MoUs are being worked out.
He said a warm welcome would be accorded to the Chinese prime minister when he arrives in Islamabad on May 22. President Asif Ali Zardari will host a luncheon for the distinguished guest. The Chinese prime minister will also hold wide-ranging talks with President Zardari and Caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, which will be followed by a joint stakeout. The prime minister will also host a banquet for his Chinese counterpart.
Prime Minister Keqiang will also meet leader of political parties. On the second day of his visit, Pakistan Muslim League-N President Nawaz Sharif will call on Keqiang. The Chinese prime minister will also hold a joint meeting with Senate chairman and National Assembly speaker.
He will visit Pak-China Friendship Centre and plant a sapling at Shakarparian. To a question, the spokesman said that no details of the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Pakistan are available as yet. He said Pakistan and the United States enjoy mutually collaborative relationship. He said Pakistan would like to have good relations with the United States based on mutual respect and mutual benefits.
Chaudhry confirmed that Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman has resigned. He said there are 15 non-career ambassadors and the new government would decide about their fate. Replying to a question about reference to Pakistan’s nuclear programme in the white paper issued by Australian Defence Ministry, the spokesman said Pakistan has a robust nuclear command and control system and robust security arrangements.
He said Pakistan’s civilian nuclear programme is under IAEA safeguards. To a question Chaudhry said Pakistan has received no new communication from India about dialogue process. He said that Pakistan has already approached India for focused discussions on the issue of prisoners, including 47 who have completed their sentence. app

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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