Pakistan on Wednesday rejected the concern of the Indian opposition parties over the meeting of Sartaj Aziz with Kashmiri leadership in New Delhi, declaring that this is an important activity for Islamabad and Kashmiri leadership ought to be associated with dialogue process between the two countries.
Responding to media queries during the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry brushed aside the assertion by Indian BJP leader that Sartaj Aiziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, had committed a 'diplomatic blunder' by meeting the Kashmiri leadership during his recent visit to New Delhi.
"It is customary that when our Foreign Minster or Foreign Secretary goes to India for official commitment, they do consult Kashmiri leaders. This is not the first time that this has happened," he said, adding that such meetings have been happening since long. For us, this is an important activity. We believe that the Kashmir issue is the core dispute between the two countries that needs to be resolved," Aziaz added.
He further said that Pakistan believes that Kashmiri leadership ought to be associated with the dialogue process between India and Pakistan, adding Pakistan has always affirmed its moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people for their struggle to self-determine their destiny and that support will continue. Referring to the human rights violation in Indian held Kashmir, he said that the on-going repression of Indian security forces in the held valley is a matter of grave concern for Pakistan, adding not only Pakistan but several prestigious human rights organisations have also raised voice against the human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir.
On the meetings of Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in New Delhi‚ he said that the advisor held talks with the Indian external affairs minister and national security advisor on all issues including the situation on Line of Control [LoC]. He said Director Generals of Military Operations of both the countries have made a number of contacts on the LoC situation and concurred to normalise situation at the working boundary. He said that cease-fire agreement of 2003 should be respected for peaceful environment between the two neighbours.
Sartaj Aziz also paid a courtesy call on the Indian Prime Minister and affirmed desire of Pakistan for the resumption of dialogue to have friendly and peaceful neighbourly relations with India, he added. To a question about Afghan soil being used by militants against Pakistan, he said Pakistan has made it clear on Afghanistan several times that it should not allow the use of its territory against Pakistan. He expressed the confidence that Afghanistan will take the required steps in this regard.
On the whereabouts of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Fazalullah, the spokesman expressed his ignorance about his whereabouts as well any contacts with Afghan government on this matter. About the Prime Minister's proposed visit to Kabul, he said that the visit is on the cards, but no date has been fixed as yet, adding that the talks between the leaders of the two countries will focus on bilateral relations and peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
When asked about the whereabouts of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Baradar‚ the spokesman said that he is in Pakistan and can contact his family members. He said Pakistan had released Mullah Baradar to advance the Afghan peace and reconciliation process, adding Pakistan will continue to play a positive role in the reconciliation process.
About the current status of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, he said that Pakistan has clarified its position many times due to the acute energy requirements of Pakistan, the government remains committed to all options for addressing our energy needs, including the IP pipeline project. "We believe that in our view the US sanctions do not apply to this project and we have conveyed this to the US government," he added.
To another question about the recent drone attack in North Waziristan‚ he said Pakistan conveyed its protest to the US Ambassador to Pakistan. He further said that Pakistan has also briefed the five permanent members of the UN Security Council about the drone attacks.
He further said that the recent debate in the UN on drone attacks indicates that several countries support Pakistan's perspective that the drone strikes violate international law and entail human rights and humanitarian implications. On the issue of illegal Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia‚ he said that statuses of 800,000 Pakistanis have been regularised due to the strenuous efforts of the Pakistani mission in the kingdom.
To a question about the killing of Iranian border security forces by militants crossing from Pakistan, he said that Pakistan is in touch with the Iranian government to address the details of the incident, adding the two countries have excellent relations and have instituted bilateral mechanisms to deal with cross border issues.