Pakistan said on Thursday that it is regularly taking up with India the issue of terrorism patronised by its spy agency, RAW, particularly in Balochistan and its tribal areas. Qazi Khalilullah, the newly-appointed Foreign Office spokesperson, said that the relevant authorities avail every possible opportunity to convey Pakistan's concerns to the Indian side regarding its involvement in terrorism in the country.
"We have been taking up the issue of Indian involvement in various parts of Pakistan from time to time, particularly when we have talks with them," he said, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry had shared similar concerns with his Indian counterpart when he visited Pakistan in March this year. A day earlier Corps Commanders' conference, presided over by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, "took serious notice of RAW's involvement in whipping up terrorism in Pakistan".
About the Indian concerns and approaching UN for the release of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the prime suspect in Mumbai attacks, the spokesperson said the Sanctions Committee of UN Security Council required international travel ban, arms embargo and freezing of assets. "All these measures have been taken and are highlighted during our interaction with our international partners," he said, adding Pakistan has taken measures required by the Sanctions Committee.
Commenting on the Indian government's admission after 22 years that it has no clue to the whereabouts of Dawood Ibrahim, he said that we have been saying that whereabouts of Dawood Abrahim are not known to Pakistan. "And, finally, it has been admitted by the side which has been accusing Pakistan on this issue," he added. Responding to a query about tribal elders' meeting in Saudi Embassy in which they announced that they are ready to send 50,000 fighters to the Kingdom, the spokesperson expressed ignorance over the meeting and stated that Pakistan's relations with Saudi Arabia are brotherly, cordial and deep rooted.
"We share same values...We conduct our relations with Saudi Arabia through frequent exchange of visits and discuss all issues of mutual interest during such meetings. Pakistan's policy on Yemen is well-known," he added. About the election in the United Kingdom, he said that Pakistan and the United Kingdom enjoy very close relations and expressed the confidence we will have very close co-operation with the new British government.
To a question about Kabul-Taliban talks in Doha, the spokesperson said that Pakistan attaches great importance to peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. "We stand for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. Pakistan has been supporting peace efforts. We will continue to support these efforts to the extent we can," he added.
About the transit trade with Afghanistan, he said that Pakistan has a transit trade agreement with Afghanistan and the country is abiding by that. He further said that Pakistan has close relations with Afghanistan, adding that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has a vision of peace in the region and peace with neighbouring countries. In the light of that vision we make all possible efforts to promote our co-operation with Afghanistan that is mutually beneficial, he said, adding we will continue with this policy.
Regarding the ongoing visit of former President Asif Zardari and former Prime Minister Gilani to Kabul, he said that we encourage contacts between Pakistan and Afghanistan at all levels because we believe that such contacts are helpful in promoting our bilateral relations.
To another question about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's upcoming visit to Afghanistan, he said that as per practice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces the dates of the visit of our leaders a day or two prior to the visit. "Pakistan and Afghanistan enjoy very close, cordial and brotherly relations. High-level exchanges between the two countries take place frequently. The objective of the visit always is to further promote bilateral relationship and understanding and explore new avenues of co-operation," he added.
"Elections are an internal affair. However, we want to extend our best wishes to them [UK]. Our co-operation is not dependent on a particular party forming the government. We have longstanding relationship with the UK and we are confident that we will have very close co-operation with the new government," he added.