Pakistan on Thursday said that its 'relevant authorities' were examining Pentagon investigation report into the last month Nato air strike on Pakistan army check posts in Mohmand Agency and would articulate response as soon as possible. Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit while speaking at weekly news briefing clarified reports appeared in a section of media that Pakistan military has rejected the US investigation report.
"I have not seen any comment by ISPR. It was reported by some newspapers today (Thursday) but there has not been any official response yet. Our relevant authorities are still examining the report," the spokesman said in response to a question. He, however, confirmed that Pakistan Embassy in Washington circulated Islamabad's response on December 22 that was on the basis of what was initially reported. "By and large it was contended that the findings of the investigation reports were short on facts," he added.
When asked to comment on indication given by Pentagon that action might be taken against the personnel involved in the November 26 incident, he declined to go into 'specifications', saying "Let us wait for the parliament to complete the review process of Pakistan terms of engagements with the US." He said that Pakistan would continue to pursue its foreign policy based on mutual respect and there would be no compromise on national interests, adding that Islamabad wants its relations with Washington based on mutual respect, trust and mutual interests.
He said that Pakistan-US relations have witnessed many ups and downs due to some incidents including Raymond Davis, Abbottabad and US-Nato attack on two Pakistani check posts. He, however, said that the relations had come to a point where it was necessary to re-write the bilateral terms of engagement to be prepared in the light of the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security.
"No doubt there are problems but we are trying to put our relations on a track that is transparent and in sync with our aspirations," he said. The spokesman said Pakistan's foreign policy in 2011 continued to be steered by two broad objectives - security and development, adding that they vigorously pursued these two objectives on bilateral, regional and international framework.
To a question about India's bid to possess two nuclear submarines in co-operation with Russia, the spokesman said that Islamabad was looking at these developments very closely and also said that there would be no compromise on maintaining credibility of the country's nuclear developments. "Dialogue with India has been resumed and we sincerely hope that they will be uninterrupted and result-oriented leading to resolution of all issues especially Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people," he added.
He said several proposals were discussed during the recent Pakistan-India working group on conventional and nuclear CBMs, adding that the meeting provided an opportunity to compare notes and review implementation of existing agreements. To a query, he said that Pakistan wanted the Jammu and Kashmir dispute to be resolved according to the relevant UN resolutions.
He said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were against the Public Safety Act, the Disturbed Area Act and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. "We support their legitimate aspirations and there is a debate going on in India as well, to this effect. One hopes that these black laws would be revoked to improve the overall situation," he added.
To another query about Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, he said that Pakistan wants to complete the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline as quickly as possible. "Our relations with Iran are special and there is no policy change", he said, adding that there was desire to accelerate completion of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, given that we are an energy-deficient country. "Our relevant ministries are conscious of this fact. Early completion of the project is most desirable", he added.
About Iranian nuclear issue, the spokesman said Pakistan always supported state's right to peaceful use of nuclear technology, adding that Islamabad strongly believes that Iran nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully, adding that escalation of the situation will be in no one's interest.
Giving a review of Pakistan foreign policy's successes during 2011, he said that relations with China attained new heights and Pakistan celebrated 2011 as year of friendship. He said there were several high level visits during the year. He said Pakistan's relations with EU countries and G-8 countries also moved forward. He said five year Pakistan-EU engagement plan has been finalised.
He said that Islamabad's relations with its neighbours were of foremost priority. "We always work and continue to work for peace and stability in Afghanistan," he said, adding that Afghanistan is a sovereign county and reconciliation process should be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned. He said thousands of Pakistanis are actively contributing in the development of Afghanistan.
To a question about the boat that capsized in Indonesia, he said Pakistan Embassy in Jakarta was in touch with local authorities. He said a four member delegation from Balochistan has already reached Jakarta. So far 130 dead bodies have been recovered and all these were decomposed. He said their identification process was continuing. About demise of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, he said Pakistan condoled the death of the North Korean leader. "We understand the grief of the North Korean people and wish them stability and prosperity," he added.
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