Pakistan on Thursday dismissed media reports about the deployment of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to guard the 3,000-kilometre-long China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) route as "rumour mongering". Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria, at his weekly media briefing, rejected such reports, terming these "rumour mongering", adding his Chinese counterpart has already refuted these claims.
Indian media had earlier claimed about the deployment of Chinese troops in the AJK to protect the multi-billion dollar CPEC projects.
The spokesperson further said that Kashmir is a longstanding item on the agenda of the United Nations. There are several UNSC resolutions on the issue which accept the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people under the auspices of the United Nations, he added.
He said several Indian writers and intellectuals have also expressed similar views about the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir territory and the blatant human rights violations by the Indian troops in occupied Kashmir.
About Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz's meetings in Nepal on the sidelines of SAARC Inter-Summit Ministerial Meeting, he said the purpose of the meetings was to deliver the Prime Minister's formal invitations to heads of state and government to participate in SAARC Summit to be hosted by Pakistan later this year.
Asked whether the issue of the Pathankot terror attack will also be raised in the meeting between Aziz with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, he said that the Adviser has already stated that he would listen to whatever issue she wants to raise and that would be responded accordingly in the meeting.
However, he said the possibility of a meeting between Prime Minister Sharif and Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington is not linked to the outcome of the bilateral meeting between the two Foreign Ministers in Nepal.
As of now, he said that there is no firm proposal for a bilateral meeting of the two prime ministers in Washington, though usually such meetings do take place on the sidelines of summits.
About the T20 World Cup being played in India, he said that Pakistan expressed its disappointment to Indian deputy high commissioner in Islamabad over denial of travel permission to some Pakistani diplomatic staff in New Delhi to watch the cricket match between the two countries in Kolkata on Saturday. However, he said that there was some "confusion" and the matter is now being sorted out.
Asked to comment on enhancing bilateral relations between India and Saudi Arabia and the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Modi to the kingdom, the spokesperson declined to comment on relationship between other sovereign countries, saying "as a matter of policy, I will not comment on the bilateral relations between two sovereign countries [Saudi Arabia and India]...Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have brotherly relations which are deep-rooted and timeless".
On the Afghan peace process, he said the Quadrilateral Co-ordination Group (QCG) involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the United States is making efforts to bring the two sides to the table of negotiations.
For more than three decades, he said Afghanistan has been in turmoil which has created a vacuum. He said that the Afghan people have suffered a lot and they deserve peace, stability and prosperity, adding people of Pakistan have special consideration, love and affection for the fraternal Afghan people.
"Pakistan believes in Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, and sincerely wishes to extend all-out support to assist Afghan government and its people to that end," he said, adding Pakistan's wholehearted participation in QCG, Heart of Asia and other processes, is a clear manifestation of our keen desire to see peace in Afghanistan.
"We will continue to play a positive role with regard to the efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan. It's time for introspection for those who indulge in blame-game," he added.
To another query about the allegations levelled by former Afghan President Hamid Karzai against Pakistan, he said we are aware of the negative sentiments spread against Pakistan, which is regrettable. Asked about any update on the information shared with Afghan government regarding various terrorist attacks, he said there are mechanisms in place between the two governments regarding security related matters as well as terrorism. Under these mechanisms, he said, there are consultations, co-ordination and collaboration in these areas. He said all bilateral issues are discussed whenever such meetings take place.
Responding to the allegations levelled by US officials against Pakistan not doing enough against all extremist groups, he said there is national consensus that terrorism must be fought with absolute resolve and decisively.
"Pakistan is the biggest victim of terrorism. Unlike some elements in other states, all institutions and segments of society remain united in Pakistan's firm, indiscriminate and unequivocal drive against terrorism. We have reiterated it many times that Pakistan does not distinguish and discriminate between terrorists," he added.
On Russia's decision to withdraw its troops from Syria, he said that Pakistan's principled position on Syria is based on respect for Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty. "We believe that the Syrian government and opposition groups should exercise restraint and resolve their differences peacefully," he said, adding Pakistan supports all such initiatives which facilitate a Syrian-led and inclusive solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people through a comprehensive political dialogue.
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