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Pakistan desires good relations with India on equal basis
Tasnim says all regional countries need to cooperate to fight against terrorism
INPISLAMABAD – Pakistan has once again reiterated that it wants good neighbourly relations with India on the basis of equality.
At her weekly news briefing here, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said that Pakistan wanted peace in the neighbourhood for development of the entire region. She said that the prime minister in his address to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit also stressed the need for focussing more on the public welfare than the arms.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan played a constructive role in negotiations leading up to the SAARC summit and actively participated in the SAARC standing committee and council of ministers. The host country also appreciated Pakistan's constructive role. She said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also held meetings with six SAARC leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
To a question about the Indian home minister's allegations against Pakistan, Tasnim noted that unsubstantiated allegations would not lead to resolution of any problem. She said that Pakistan has condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestation. “We have paid more price in blood and money than any other country to counter terrorism,” she added. She emphasised that all the regional countries need to cooperate to fight this menace.
To another question about drone attacks, the spokesperson said that Pakistan has demonstrated opposition to these strikes not only in words but has also taken practical steps to highlight this issue at multilateral forums. She said that Resolutions passed at the world forums have questioned the legality of these strikes. About relations with the United States, Tasnim said Pakistan has very comprehensive and constructive engagement with the US.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk