The Foreign Office on Thursday took strong note of Indian Home Minister's assertion of "dividing Pakistan into 10 parts," describing it as vindication of Pakistan's longstanding stance about Indian state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan for destabilising the country. Responding to media queries in his weekly briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria strongly condemned the 'absurd' remarks of Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, urging the international community to take notice of such irresponsible statements and India-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan.
He also described that Singh's statement is complete violation of all diplomatic norms, UN Charter and other international instruments guaranteeing sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. "These remarks vindicate Pakistan's longstanding position that Indian government and its intelligence agencies are involved in subversive and terrorist activities and terror financing in Pakistan to fuel tension and destabilise the country," he added.
He also voiced concerns over human rights violations inside India, saying the international community is deeply concerned about treatment of minorities in India. He pointed out that Muslims, Dalits and Christians are especially victims of Hindu extremist and terrorist organisations such as RSS, Shiv Sena and Abhinav Bharat, and international community is witnessing worst human rights violations and persecution of minorities, particularly of Muslims, in India.
To a question, he welcomed the statement of Nobel Laureate Jose Ramos-Horta who called upon India to allow UNMOGIP [United Nations Military Observer Group in India & Pakistan] in Indian-held Kashmir. He said Pakistan welcomes the call by Jose Ramos-Horta and believes that it is a preliminary step in the right direction.
He said that it has been Pakistan's principled position consistently that Jammu and Kashmir dispute should be resolved through a free and fair plebiscite under the UN auspices in line with the UN Security Council resolutions. He said that Pakistan regularly facilitates the UNMOGIP in the performance of its responsibilities. Unfortunately India doesn't allow the same on her side, he added.
To another query, he said that Pakistan has welcomed all offers made by world leaders to mediate between Islamabad and New Delhi. "Pakistan believes that it is only through dialogue and negotiations and following the peaceful way that the outstanding issues can be resolved. Therefore, we have always been creating enabling atmosphere expecting India to reciprocate," he said.
He added that dialogue can only take place when all the parties are willing to come to the negotiating table. For its part, he said, Pakistan has shown necessary gestures, where warranted, to resume dialogue. International community is well aware that Pakistan has always welcomed to resolve Kashmir dispute amicably, he added.
When asked about Pakistan's position on the recent decision by India and Afghanistan for launching an air cargo service, he said Pakistan has not received any such proposal yet. "Once a request is received, we will process it according to our regulations and procedures," he added.
Commenting on the statement of Nato Commander in Afghanistan General Nicholson, he said that his assessment suggested that a large number of terrorist organisations are based in Afghanistan, adding Pakistan has taken firm action to root out terrorism through operation Zarb-e-Azb, the impact of which can be seen.
He said that Pakistan wants peace and stability in Afghanistan and it is engaged in border management which is imperative for effective counterterrorism. "Cooperation of the Afghan government and the US authorities has been repeatedly solicited in this regard. We look forward to receiving their support," he added.
He further said that Afghan government needs to send positive signals to the Taliban inviting them to join the peace process along with necessary incentives. "In our view, an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led process is the best way and not the military option," he added.
About the US Annual Assessment Report on its operations in Afghanistan, he said that it stated that out of 98 US designated terrorist groups around the world, about 13 are in Afghanistan and that US forces killed or captured 50 leaders of al Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) in Afghanistan.
He stated that the report further pointed out that around 200 other members of al Qaeda and al Qaeda Islamic State groups were killed and captured in Afghanistan, and five chiefs of 20 terrorist groups were killed in Afghanistan. He stated that the report pointed out that Hamidullah, the chief of the Islamic Jihad Union, Farouq al Qatari, chief of eastern Afghanistan, for al Qaeda Islamic State, were killed in Afghanistan.
It further pointed out that in Afghanistan, Islamic State of Khurasan, members of TTP, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and some members of Afghan Taliban have organized presence. The spokesperson clarified that there is no organized presence of Daesh in Pakistan, adding the pronouncement of one or two random individuals of having affiliation with Daesh does not form the basis for claiming organized presence for the entity in Pakistan.
To another query, he expressed his inability to confirm about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's intention to attend US president-elect Donald Trump's oath taking ceremony. "I am not aware of any such proposal that the Prime Minister intends to attend President-Elect Donald Trump's oath taking ceremony," he added.
About Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi's engagement in the US, he did not confirm his meeting with Trump's team, adding Fatemi has had a busy schedule and an extensive range of interactions in Washington and New York so far. To another query about World Bank's temporarily halting the appointment of a neutral expert to mutually resolve the water dispute under Indus Water Treaty, he said a letter from the World Bank has been received and inter-departmental consultations are under way.