Pakistan has said that its role in Afghan reconciliation process is being acknowledged at all forums and expressed hope that US-Taliban talks will lead to a peaceful settlement of Afghan issue. This was stated by Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal at a weekly news briefing here on Thursday. He reaffirmed that Pakistan will make every effort for peaceful solution of Afghan issue. "We welcome US talks with Taliban and fully support the dialogue process but stated that Pakistan influence on Taliban is very limited," he added.
Faisal further stated that a consultative meeting of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan was held on reconciliation process in Afghanistan and from Pakistan side Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood participated in it. Three countries also agreed to work jointly against terrorism and benefit from one-belt one-road Chinese project, he added.
The spokesman condemned Indian atrocities in held Kashmir and stated that India should permit an independent team of UN fact finding mission to probe the brutalities in Occupied Kashmir. He urged the international community to take notice of the Indian brutalities. India has been committing perpetual ceasefire violations at Line of Control (LOC) to divert the world's attention from its atrocities in the held valley, he added.
Faisal said that Pakistan strongly condemns genocide of defenseless Kashmiri people by Indian forces. He said India cannot suppress the voice of freedom of Kashmiri people by the use of force and Indian occupation of valley and human rights violation will be protested in London on February 5, on Kashmir Day.
The spokesman asserted that Pakistan will not withdraw from its claim to Jinnah House and Pakistan had the legal documents as solid testament to its claim. Pakistan will not accept Indian effort to take custody of Jinnah House, he added.
Ansari's release does not mean we have moved from our stance on the Kashmir dispute, said Dr Faisal. He said that Pakistan operates under the rule of law and therefore cannot hold a prisoner once his sentence completes. "The prisoners' list is exchange with India after every six months and exchange of prisoners list with India will be due on January 1 this time," he added.
He stated the land of Kartarpur is not being handed over to India and questions in this regard are totally baseless and added that Pakistan had opened Kartapur border to facilitate Sikh community for religious ritual at Kartapur Gurdwara.
To a question on pro-Khalistan groups becoming active in India, foreign office spokesman stated that Pakistan would not interfere in the internal matters of any country. Faisal said that there is no veracity in reports of mistreatment to Muslim women married to Pakistanis and stated that according to Chines officials out of 44, 6 are already in Pakistan, 23 are living in Xingjian willingly while three are in different jails on charges of crimes and 8 are being provided volunteer training.