As both Pakistan and India are yet to finalise the dates for the foreign secretary-level talks after it was postponed last month, the Foreign Office on Thursday insisted that both sides understand that dialogue is the only way to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries. The newly-appointed spokesperson, Nafees Zakaria, told the weekly press briefing of Foreign Office that both the sides are in contact to finalise the dates for the foreign secretary-level talks.
"There is a realisation on both sides that dialogue must take place. As to the Foreign Secretary level talks, both sides understand that dialogue is the only way to resolve the outstanding issues between the two countries," he said. The scheduled meeting between the two foreign secretaries could not be held on January 15, 2016 and the two sides decided that a new date for the meeting would be finalised in the 'very near' future.
About any update on the investigation into the Pathankot terror attack, the spokesperson expressed his inability to share any update. However, he added that both sides remain in contact with each other on all matters related to bilateral issues. To a question about the presence of Daesh in the country, he reiterated the earlier stance, saying there was no organised presence of the global terror network in Pakistan.
Asked whether Pakistan will also be part of the Saudi Arabia's military exercise along with other regional countries, he said Pakistan has consistently supported all regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and extremism. "It is in this context that we have welcomed the coalition against terrorism. Details will be worked out at the experts' level," he added.
To another query about the Afghan reconciliation process, he said the third meeting of the Quadrilateral Co-ordination Group adopted a roadmap stipulating the stages and steps in the reconciliation process. He said the roadmap outlines a step-by-step approach for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and is aimed at facilitating direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban groups.
"All the four countries of the Quadrilateral Group are making efforts in this regard and these efforts will be reviewed at the fourth round on 23 February 2016," he added. During the 06 February 2016 meeting in Islamabad of the group, he said all the four countries namely Afghanistan, Pakistan, the US and China decided to make combined efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
However, he stated that it would be an unrealistic approach to expect from Pakistan solely for progress in this regard. "There is total clarity amongst members of the Quadrilateral Group regarding their shared responsibility," he added. Asked whether the LNG agreement with Qatar was result of the US pressure to avoid Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, he said that Pakistan is an energy deficient country and it, like other countries, cannot depend on any single source for its energy needs. "Therefore, Pakistan is working on various sources of energy supplies to overcome the acute shortage," he added.
About the implementation on Supreme Court's decision to relocate foreign embassies/missions from residential areas of Islamabad, he said the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has directly approached owners of properties, which have been rented to the embassies. He said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been approached by the foreign missions that they have been asked by their owners to revert their properties to residential use. He further said the CDA has confirmed sending letters to owners and has requested Ministry for support and facilitation.
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