Pakistan on Monday said it was premature to create any linkage between the 'Lal Masjid' issue and the killing of three Chinese near Peshawar, and reiterated that the Pak-China friendship was strong enough to withstand such incidents.
"It is premature; ... investigation is continuing and at the moment, we cannot make out, or rule out, any connection," Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told reporters at the weekly briefing. She said that she would not attribute the spate of incidents involving Chinese in Pakistan as part of some grand design, or conspiracy, but added that those responsible did not care about the Pak-China relations.
"Our friendship is strong enough to pass such tests and trials," she said. The spokesperson replied in the negative when asked whether the Chinese government had sought information about any Uygar terrorists inside 'Lal Masjid'.
"No, they have not raised this question and we have no information that Chinese terrorists are inside the mosque," she added. She said that both President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had strongly condemned the incident in which three Chinese nationals lost their lives and one was injured.
She said that the two leaders had sent separate condolence messages to President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, and added that immediate enquiry had been ordered into the incident and the government was making all efforts to ensure security of Chinese in Pakistan.
The spokesperson said that the government had already intensified security at foreign missions and consulates in other cities as well. Tasnim said that there are about 2000-3000 Chinese nationals in Pakistan, and added that it was the government's responsibility to provide them security.
When asked about a media report regarding opposition by the United States' for providing safe passage to Lal Masjid cleric, she said that the US government had not contacted Pakistan on the issue. "This is primarily Pakistan government's responsibility to protect its citizens, and handle the issue," she added.
Commenting on a statement by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the Lal Masjid issue would slow down the Pak-India dialogue process, Tasnim said the statement did not refer to any specific aspect.
She said that Pakistan remained committed to the peace process with India, which was now in 4th round, and pointed out that the recent meeting of the officials from Pakistan and India were held in a productive environment.
The Foreign Office spokesperson expressed hope that the two countries would take advantage of the opportunities and would resolve all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir dispute, to ensure that South Asia has a right future.
Regarding any proposal to convene donors' conference on floods, she said that Pakistan had not asked for international assistance. However, the United Nations and friendly countries had started providing relief goods.
About Joint Working Group established in terms of Ankara Declaration early this year, Tasnim said its first meeting was held in Ankara on July 6 and was attended by Pakistan's Foreign Secretary, Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan and the Under-Secretary of Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She added that the meeting reviewed progress on Pak-Afghan relations and took a number of decisions in this regard.
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