The resolution in the US House of Representatives on Balochistan continued to anger Pakistan as Foreign Office on Monday summoned US acting ambassador and lodged a strong protest with him.
"Ambassador Richard Hoagland, US Charge d' Affaires was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (Monday)," said a statement issued by the office of the spokesman of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that a strong protest was lodged with him on tabling a resolution on Balochistan in the US Congress.
US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, who is also chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Sub-committee on Oversight and Investigation, tabled a resolution in the US House of Representatives seeking self-determination in restive Balochistan, saying Baloch people, divided now among Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan; should be allowed to choose their status.
"Ambassador Hoagland was told in clear terms that the move in the US Congress was contrary to the spirit of friendly relations and violative of the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law and recognised norms of inter-state conduct," the Foreign Office statement added. It further said the ambassador was asked to convey the serious concern of the government of Pakistan to the US Administration.
The US embassy on Sunday issued a statement to clarify its position in relation to tabling of a resolution on Balochistan in the US House of Representatives, saying "the United States respects the territorial integrity of Pakistan".
"The Department of State does not typically comment on pending legislation, but it is not the policy of the Administration to support independence for Balochistan," it added. It further stated that members of Congress introduce legislation's on numerous foreign affairs topics and these bills do not in any way imply US government endorsement of any particular policy.
APP adds: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Monday said Pakistan was pursuing the policy of achieving consistent economic stability rather than reliance on foreign aid. Sustainable economic linkages through greater market access for Pakistani goods were more important than receiving aid, she added.
The foreign minister was talking to scholars and senior analysts at the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) here. The IISS is a prestigious think tank. Explaining the purpose of her visit, the minister stated that Pakistan and the UK had very close and friendly relations and her visit would help further strengthen the bilateral ties and boost the enhanced strategic dialogue process.
On Pakistan-India relations, she mentioned that the only way forward for both the countries was to demonstrate a matured approach through an uninterrupted dialogue process. It was a time, she added, to focus on deliverables in order to confront the challenges. With regard to the resolution moved in the US Congress on Balochistan, she said that it had greatly disturbed the people of Pakistan.
Such an approach by the parliamentarians of a country which is their strategic partner, is unacceptable and such gestures can impact other aspects of relationship and create trust deficit, she added. Elaborating upon the objectives of Pakistan's foreign policy, she mentioned that Pakistan desired to reach out to all its neighbours for the sake of peace and stability in the region.
The democratic government was committed, she said, to take the people of Pakistan into confidence on all-important national policies, including the foreign policy. Responding to a query on regional situation, she said anything happening in Pakistan's neighbourhood would have fallout on it.
Therefore, Pakistan sincerely desired for peace and stability in all the countries in the region particularly in Afghanistan, she added. She referred to the unresolved problem of over three million Afghan refugees still living in Pakistan and said the international community had not been able to ensure their safe return to Afghanistan.
Responding another question on Pakistan's ties with China, she stated that it had been the most reliable and consistent relationship. Present in the meeting were High Commissioner of Pakistan in UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, Senior Fellow for South Asia, IISS, members of the IISS and officials from Foreign Office and High Commission of Pakistan.