The Foreign Office on Thursday said that sustained engagement and dialogue between Pakistan and India is necessary to allay each other's concerns, terming the Indian rhetoric as unfortunate and destabilising peace in the region.
"India has placed a 'pause' on the composite dialogue process. Pakistan believes that sustained engagement and dialogue is necessary to allay each other's concerns. Breakdown of dialogue only works to the advantage of terrorists. Conflict, confrontation and tensions are exactly what the terrorists want. We should not walk into their trap. It is important to show statesmanship," said Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq while responding to questions during his online weekly briefing here.
The spokesman said that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had stated that the information received through diplomatic channels from the Indian government on January 5 had been given to the interior ministry for inquiry and results will be shared with the Indian government. To a question, he said that Pakistan has constituted an inquiry team led by FIA, which will conduct probe into the matter, as was announced by the interior adviser to the Prime Minister.
He deplored that India has not responded positively to any of our proposals so far. "There is a clear distinction between 'information' and 'evidence' that is legally tenable in a court of law. Pakistan has offered joint inquiry to India and awaiting its response," he added.
Sadiq said that the statements from the Indian government and its military and civil establishment are most unfortunate as Pakistan continues to make every effort to defuse tensions in South Asia and has repeatedly stated that it is prepared to extend its co-operation to India concerning to Mumbai incident.
The spokesman said that Pakistan believes that instead of orchestrating a diplomatic and political campaign against Pakistan, it would be better for the two countries to work together to overcome the common challenges facing the region.
To a question, he said that at present there are 343 Indian fishermen detained in Pakistan and 19 Pakistani fishermen were imprisoned in India for violating coastal boundaries.
He said that Pakistan has not issued any India specific travel advisory as we have been careful and responsible and do not want to ratchet up this issue. However, he said, Pakistan is concerned over the reports of attack on a Pakistani performer by the extremist elements in Mumbai and we are obtaining information and will be addressing this issue in light of this information.
Commenting on the possible suspension of trade by India with Pakistan, he said Pakistan had not received any diplomatic response from India about suspension of trade.
He said that Pakistan follows internationally respected practice of due process as it has constituted an FIA led inquiry team, which will probe the matter. Commenting on Pakistan's relations with US president-elect Barack Obama, he said that relations between the two countries based on their national interests and change of government is important in terms of fixing policy priorities but it can not be the sole factor in determining bilateral relations.
Commenting on the story of David Sanger, the spokesman said that Pakistan and the United States enjoy close cordial relations and there is a high degree of mutual trust between the two countries. At this juncture when the new administration is about to take over, news story like the one by David Sanger is indeed most unfortunate and contrary to the facts, he added.
Pakistan is fully cognisant of its responsibilities as a nuclear state and has taken all requisite steps to ensure the safety and security of its nuclear assets and materials. Pakistan continues to accord high attention to these matters, he maintained.
Sadiq said that Pakistan is prepared to continue working closely with the international community on arms control and disarmament issues and engage with the US and other nuclear weapon states with a view to enhancing mutual trust and confidence in relevant domains, including prevention of risks of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, on an equitable and non-discriminatory basis.
Commenting on the sanctions imposed by US on certain individuals including Dr A Q Khan, he said that A Q Khan saga is a closed chapter and Pakistan is mindful of its responsibilities as a nuclear state as well as its international obligations and the sanctions are not against the state or government.
The US has in fact applauded Pakistan's contribution to promote global non-proliferation, he added. Pakistan condemns Israeli acts of aggression against the people of Gaza which has resulted in deaths of over 900 people and causing injuries to thousand others, he added.