Pakistan on Thursday voiced concerns over $3 billion Indo-US defence deal signed on the eve of President Donald Trump's recent visit to India, and feared that Washington's supply of sophisticated weapons system to New Delhi will further destabilize the security of the already volatile region.
Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui, while responding to media queries about the India-US defence deal that also included supply of 24 MH-60 Sikorsky Romeo multi-role helicopters and six Apache attack choppers to New Delhi, said that Pakistan, on many occasions, had alerted the international community about India's aggressive designs not only towards Islamabad but also other regional countries.
"We have spoken from this platform earlier as well that Pakistan has concerns regarding defence deals with India, particularly the sale of sophisticated weapons system to India, which we believe would further destabilize an already volatile region," she said.
About the situation arising due to coronavirus following Pakistan's confirmation of two cases on Wednesday, the spokesperson said the government, both at the federal and the provincial levels, was actively engaged with the Government of Iran to deal with the spread of coronavirus.
"We fully support the efforts of Iranian authorities in managing the outbreak and we stand in solidarity with them," she said.
Farooqui said Pakistan embassy in Tehran and two consulates in Iran were alert and monitoring the situation closely, adding that they were reaching out to Pakistani community members, the Pakistani pilgrims and the students in Iran.
She said that round the clock help-lines at the embassy and the consulates in Mashshad and Zahidan had been established to provide updates to the Pakistani community on the outbreak of coronavirus, both for their awareness and for assistance.
As for return of Pakistani nationals from Iran, she said that the government and all the relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Health and the provincial governments are monitoring the situation to take all precautionary measures.
To a question whether the flight operation between Pakistan and Iran is being suspended due to the virus, she said no decision had been taken so far with regard to suspension of flight operations between the two countries.
"Whatever needs to be done will be done and the government will take the best possible measures," she added.
About the stranded Pakistani students in China, Farooqui said the embassy and consulates were fully engaged, adding that a two-member team had been permanently deputed in Wuhan city to make sure that the daily needs of our students in terms of food and health were addressed and monitored in close coordination with the Chinese authorities.
Responding to a query about observance of February 27, 2020, on one year passing of when Pakistan armed forces shot down two Indian planes, the spokesperson said that there should be no ambiguity and no confusion regarding the readiness and willingness of Pakistan's armed forces, and that of the government and the people of Pakistan to thwart any aggression that may come from any quarter towards Pakistan.
"A befitting response was given a year ago and God forbid, in case of any such misadventure, it will be responded in a similar manner," she said. About the current violence in India, Farooqui pointed out what was happening in New Delhi was a continuation of a "majoritarian mindset that propounds discriminatory policies towards minorities".
"This is a pattern we have seen in the last few years, especially in the last few months. It is increasingly happening in various parts of India. The oppression that the Kashmiri people have been suffering for decades especially after 5th August 2019, has now found its way into the Indian capital. We believe what is happening in New Delhi now is a continuation of that pattern," she asserted.
Responding to another query, FO spokesperson said Pakistan had welcomed the mediation offer made by US President Donald Trump during his visit to India. She pointed out that the US president also lauded Pakistan's efforts against terrorism during his visit.
She said the very remarks were a manifestation of upward trajectory in Pakistan-US relations. Farooqui said there was an increasing awareness in the world that resolution of Kashmir dispute was the key for peace and stability in the region.
She pointed out that Pakistan had been the victim of state terrorism emanating from the eastern border along India. "We have shared our concerns in this regard with the international community," Farooqui added.
About the US-Taliban peace deal to be signed on Saturday, she said that Pakistan welcomed the peace and expressed the confidence that this would pave the way for intra-Afghan dialogue. She hoped this historic opportunity will be seized by all the Afghan parties to take the people of Afghanistan towards peace and stability.
Farooqui said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi would represent Pakistan at the peace agreement signing ceremony on the February 29. "Pakistan has played a significant role in facilitating the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan," she added.
Responding to another query, Farooqui said the federal and provincial governments were well aware of the socio-economic implications of the Afghan war on Pakistani side of the border.
Government was taking steps to lessen the effects of environmental degradation and other effects of the Afghan war on Pakistan, she added. Farooqui said Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pakistan was on the cards, adding that both the sides were working on the schedule of the visit.
She said Prime Minister Imran Khan accompanied by the foreign minister were on a day-long visit to Qatar. That was part of the regular exchange of high-level visits, Farooqui added.
She said the focus of the visit would be on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging views on regional developments. "Pakistan and Qatar enjoy close, cordial ties based on mutual trust and understanding. The bilateral relationship is broad-based and multifaceted, covering diverse fields including political, trade, commercial, defence, people-to-people contacts, and cultural exchanges," she added.
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