The government said on Thursday said that the rules of engagement are very clear and US drones attacks in Pakistani tribal belt are against the international law, affecting relations between Washington and Islamabad. Foreign Office Spokesman, Muhammad Sadiq in his weekly media briefing said that the recent air and ground strikes against Taliban in tribal areas are denting the relations between US and Pakistan.
The government will do whatever possible to stop these attacks, he said, adding we are trying our level best to resolve this issue. He said that 'Friends of Pakistan' (FoP) is not a donor agency but a group of friendly countries supporting Pakistan in attracting investment and its next meeting will be held Abu Dhabi on November 17.
Responding to a question on the fifth round of composite dialogue launched on July 21, 2008, with foreign secretary level talks on 'Peace and Security including CBMs' and 'Jammu and Kashmir', he said the meeting on terrorism & drug trafficking will be held on November 25, in Islamabad, while meeting on Sir Creek will be held on December 2-3 in New Delhi.
Pakistan has clear position on Kashmir issue that it should be resolved under UN resolutions and we are ready for any constructive dialogue in this regard, he said while responding to a question about the US president-elect Barack Obama's offer to play a role in resolving the longstanding dispute of Kashmir.
Giving update on Dr Aafia's case, he said that Pakistan is trying at multiple levels to obtain her release and some developments were made in this regard.
Responding to a question on Baghliar Dam on river Chenab, Sadiq said that Pakistan hopes that India will resolve the issue as per Indus Water Treaty and compensate for the water loss due to construction of this dam. At this stage there is no consideration to approach international court of justice but if India did not respond positively, we will take up the case as last resort, he maintained.
On a question about agenda of Pak-Saudi-Afghan meeting in New York, he opined there was nothing specific but the leaders discussed the regional situation. About the kidnapping of Iranian diplomat from Peshawar, he said that all the kidnapped diplomats will be recovered soon and our friends know that we are passing through a very difficult period of our history. Commenting on a query that why President Zaradri did not attend a dinner in New York, he said there were no particular reasons for this.
He said that Pakistan has sought the release of its nationals from Indian prisons while facilitating the release of Indian prisoners in Pakistan. A total of 29 Pakistani prisoners will be repatriated to Pakistan on 14 November via Wahga border, he added.
Earlier, in his opening statement on third meeting of Saarc ministers of interior, he said that it will be held in Pakistan on November 27 and will be preceded by the following meetings: interior secretaries meeting on November 26, 8th Saarc conference on co-operation in police matters on November 25, 3rd meeting of Saarc immigration authorities on November 24, 3rd meeting of focal points of Saarc terrorist offences monitoring desk on November 24 and 3rd meeting of drug offences monitoring desk on November 24.