Foreign Office confirmed Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive on Monday on a two-day state visit along with a high-power delegation to further deepen economic and strategic ties between the two all-time friends, expecting to sign projects worth $46 billion.
"I can confirm the Chinese President's visit. He will visit Pakistan on 20-21 April 2015", said Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam, while responding to media queries during a weekly press briefing.
She said that the Chinese President will be accompanied by a high-powered delegation and a number of important agreements/MoUs are expected to be signed during the visit. She said that the details of the visit are being finalised and will be shared in Islamabad and Beijing, simultaneously.
To a question about visit of a Pakistani delegation to Saudi Arabia, she said Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif as a special envoy of the prime minister along with a delegation travelled to Saudi Arabia to meet the Saudi leadership.
When sought her comments on the threatening statement of UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the spokesperson declined to comment, saying there was no official statement from the UAE Foreign Minister. "We understand there was a tweet. We do not respond to tweets. Nothing has been conveyed to us officially", she added.
About the Saudi Religious Affairs Minister's visit, she said that this was part of normal interaction between the two countries and he was here at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart.
Commenting on the Prime Minister's policy statement on Yemen situation, she rejected the impression of any contradiction of the statement with parliamentary resolution earlier adopted by the joint-sitting, asking the government to remain neutral.
"There are many other elements of the parliamentary resolution, not just neutrality...what the prime minister said was in line with the parliamentary resolution. I do not see any contradiction," she added.
About Pakistan's commitment to protect Saudi's territorial integrity and the stage when Pakistani troops will be sent to the Kingdom, she said it was an ongoing process of consultation between the two countries.
Asked whether Pakistan will also send any delegation to talk to Houthis in Yemen as part of its efforts for restoration of peace, she remarked: "Houthis do not represent any State. They are non state actors whose action we have already condemned".
She said that the UN Security Council Resolution is also quite clear about the Houthis. "We have called upon all the warring factions in Yemen to find a solution through dialogue", she said, adding the prime minister is in contact with the Turkish leadership and also visited Turkey.
She pointed out that the Iranian Foreign Minister visited Pakistan and there have been discussions on the Yemen crisis. "We are also in contact with the other countries. We have also expressed the hope that the UNSC resolution will be implemented", she added.
To a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan has expressed concern on violations of cease-fire on Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary by Indian troops and the issue has been raised by with India through the established mechanisms, as well as at the UN Security Council.
She said Pakistan has been in the middle of its decisive operation against terrorism and violation at this time on the eastern border is in no one's interest.
To another question, the spokesperson said waving of Pakistani flags in Sri Nagar is manifestation of deep emotional bonds between people of Indian Occupied Kashmir and Pakistan.
Regarding question of Pakistan's nuclear deterrence, the spokesperson said Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and has very robust command and control structures.
She rejected the New York Times editorial analysis on South Asia's nuclear weaponization and said that it appears to be part of an ill-informed campaign. She pointed out that Pakistan did not start nuclear weaponization in South Asia.
"We strictly conform to the concept of credible minimum deterrence. We do not want a conventional or nuclear arms race in South Asia. We have been compelled to develop a full spectrum deterrence capability to maintain regional stability and to deter aggression", she added.
About the telephonic conversation between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, she said that during his call, the Secretary briefed the Prime Minister on US policy related to some issues.
On question of Afghan reconciliation process, she said Pakistan will extend every possible support to such process in that country.
To another query about the media reports regarding involvement of certain foreign security/ intelligence agencies in Turbat incident, she said: "foreign sponsored terrorism is obviously a serious matter and we raise it at appropriate forums".
About 11 Pakistanis who are in Sana'a jail, she said that Pakistan is in contact with the authorities in Yemen as well as through the Embassy of Yemen in Islamabad for their possible evacuating or at least ensuring their safety.
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