Describing 'Indian interference' in Pakistan's internal affairs against the principle of UN Charter, the Foreign Office said Thursday that the government has taken note of the BBC report and concerned authorities are looking into the claims that India provided funds to MQM and trained hundreds of its 'militants'. Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah told reporters during his weekly media briefing that the government of Pakistan has taken note of the report.
"We have taken note of the media reports. Our authorities are looking into the matter," he said. He refused to comment further unless the matter is thoroughly investigated. But he went on to say that "However, in general, let me say that interference in internal affairs of any country is a violation of the principles of the UN Charter. It is also against the norms of interstate relations and conduct".
Khalilullah underscored that peace, security and stability of our region depends on peace, security and stability of the countries comprising the region. "Pakistan fully understands and appreciates this. We, therefore, are committed to a policy of good neighborly relations. We hope India would partner with Pakistan in this mission," he said.
On Wednesday, the BBC in its report claimed that officials in Pakistan's MQM party have told the UK authorities they received Indian government funds, and that India has trained hundreds of MQM 'militants' over the past 10 years. However, the MQM rejected all the allegations, terming these as baseless and a media trial of the party. Referring to the recent statement of Indian Ministry of External Affairs and media leaks that China has blocked India's attempts in a UN Sanctions Committee against Pakistan, the spokesperson said that India is trying to politicize the United Nations Security Council's Sanctions Committee by making unfounded allegations against Pakistan. He said that a recent complaint by India against Pakistan was discussed in one of the regular meetings of the Sanctions Committee on purely technical ground and the committee decided not to take any action on the Indian allegations.
He said Pakistan therefore rejects any insinuations and politically-motivated moves. He said Pakistan in fact supports and respects the decisions of the Security Council while India on the other hand openly violates its various resolutions particularly those relating to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He said that Pakistan is fully complying with its international obligations with regards to implementation of these sanctions. He said the monitoring team of the Sanctions Committee also visited Pakistan in January this year and issued a positive report on Pakistan's numerous measures towards implementation of sanction regime.
To a question about construction of a wall by India on the Line of Control (LoC), he said Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory and there are UN Security Council resolutions on the issue under which no side is allowed to alter the situation on the ground.
To another question, the spokesperson rejected the latest allegations levelled by Afghan intelligence officials blaming Pakistan for the recent attack on Afghan parliament. "We reject these allegations. Such allegations have been leveled against ISI and its officials in the past as well. Pakistan is a well-wisher of Afghanistan. We are committed to our relations with Afghanistan," he said.
He said that both sides have been interacting at the highest level and reiterated that enemies of Afghanistan are enemies of Pakistan. He further said that one of the principles of our relations with Afghanistan is that we will not allow our soil to be used against each other.
About the reports that Taliban have disassociated themselves from the expected talks with Afghan government to be facilitated by Pakistan in China this month, the spokesperson said that the PM's Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has already stated that Pakistan had facilitated the first meeting and the details of the second meeting are being discussed by Afghans themselves.
However, as before, Pakistan will facilitate the meeting, he said, adding Pakistan will continue to facilitate an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. To the reports that British Government's Communication Headquarters has gained access to Pakistan's internet system under its computer network exploitation (CNE), or hacking operations, he said that the government has taken note of media reports and concerned authorities are looking into the matter. About the reported arrest of defence analyst Zaid Hamid, the spokesperson confirmed the arrest of Hamid, saying he was arrested about two weeks ago and Pakistan Embassy has been working with the local Saudi authorities to get consular access.
Responding to another query, he said that Qatar has recently introduced regulations regarding polio vaccination vis-a-vis several countries including Pakistan. He said that all passengers travelling to Qatar should have polio vaccination certificates with them.
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