Foreign Office on Thursday hinted at raising the issue of suspended outstanding amount under Coalition Support Fund (CSF) with the US as the ongoing talks move forward. Responding to media queries during his weekly briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said talks with the US are going on after President Donald Trump's letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan to seek Pakistan's cooperation in political settlement of the Afghan conflict.
When asked whether Pakistan is also taking up the issue of suspended outstanding amount under the CSF following a change in the US mind from military action to political negotiation, he said: "The negotiations [with the US] have just started and as we move forward, we will also look into that [CSF]."
"It [CSF reimbursement] is a separate matter and our position remains constant," he added.
Referring to the US President Donald Trump's letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan followed by visit of Special Representative for Peace and Reconciliation in Afghanistan Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, he said that Khalilzad met the Prime Minister, foreign minister, army chief and foreign secretary.
He said that Khalilzad was in Pakistan for discussions, adding that there is also activity in Qatar. "We also remain engaged with the Afghan government regarding the peace process. The point that has to be registered is that all the stakeholders involved in the Afghan peace process are now in agreement with our considered position that the solution to the Afghan conflict rests in dialogue through an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process," he added.
"I want to clarify when we negotiate there are no pre-set demands. Both sides give their positions and we try to identify converging areas to move forward. This is diplomacy. It remains our desire that matters may be resolved through dialogue rather than resorting to settlement through gun," he added.
The US Embassy also issued a statement at the conclusion of the visit by Ambassador Khalilzad on Thursday, stating that he met with Prime Minister Khan, Foreign Minister Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Janjua, Chief of Army Staff Bajwa, and members of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad.
"In his meetings, Ambassador Khalilzad stressed the United States' commitment to facilitating a political settlement between the Afghan government and the Taliban that ensures Afghanistan never again serves as a platform for international terrorism and ends the 40-years-long war in the country, and he highlighted that all countries in the region will benefit from peace in Afghanistan," the statement added.
Responding to a question about the reported presence of Afghan Taliban's delegation in Islamabad for consultation, Dr Faisal expressed his inability to confirm, saying he has no information about the delegation.
To yet another query whether Pakistan still has an influence on the Taliban to bring them to the negotiation table, he said, "We have been repeatedly saying that Pakistan has its limitations regarding Taliban."
"However, we continue to make all possible efforts in this regard. I would again emphasise that the point to be registered is that all stakeholders now agree to Pakistan's position that the final settlement of the Afghan conflict can only be achieved through dialogue," he added.
To another query about the Chinese official broadcaster CGTN, while reporting on the terrorist attacks in Karachi has shown a map of Pakistan in which the Azad Jammu and Kashmir was shown as part of India, he said that Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed Pakistan Mission that the map shown by CGTN portrays Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory and is therefore shown in white, while the maps of Pakistan and India are brown.
"This map is in accordance with the approved maps used by the Chinese government and the United Nations. They further said that their position on Jammu and Kashmir and maps has never changed," he added.
Following the attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi, he said that the government of Pakistan has taken additional security measures to further beef up the security of the Chinese diplomatic missions, nationals and interests in Pakistan. "We are fully committed to ensuring foolproof security of Chinese nationals living in Pakistan as well as all other foreign resident missions in the country. All necessary measures have been taken to ensure security of foreign resident missions in Pakistan," he added.
Regarding the question on Chinese offer for mediation between Pakistan and India on Jammu and Kashmir, he said that Pakistan has been calling for a dialogue with India on this matter. However, things can only move forward if India sees reason and agrees to it, he added.
About any progress on Mumbai attack, he said that the matter related to Mumbai trial is sub judice. "I will not comment on it, except to emphasise that it is a complex case. Hearings are regularly held in the ATC and the law of the land will take its course. Justice would be done," he added.
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