Pak ready to hold talks with India on Kashmir, Siachin, Sir Creek, other issues: FO

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is ready to hold dialogue with India on Jammu and Kashmir, Siachin, Sir Creek and other issues.

Foreign Office spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal told newsmen during weekly briefing here Thursday that Indian aggressive measures are harmful for regional peace. He made it clear that Pakistani forces are capable to retaliate any misadventure.

He said Indian jingoistic posture is threatening regional peace and tranquility. He said Pakistan is committed to its policy of peaceful neighborhood but India posture including its claims of surgical strikes and unprecedented escalation on Line of Control (LoC) and working boundary are threat to peace.

FO spokesman said as responsible member of the international community, Pakistan believes in peace but at the same time our armed forces are fully prepared and competent to defend the country against all threats. To a question he said India did not notify Pakistan over its cruise missile test. He added that developments like testing of missiles underscore the need for two countries to engage in meaningful discussion on confidence building measures, arms race and strategic stability in South Asia.

Asked about establishment of a special cell by Indian intelligence agency RAW for anti-CPEC activities, the spokesperson said such attempts cannot deter Pakistan and China from working on economic and trade development as well as connectivity under CPEC. He condemned Indian atrocities against people of Occupied Kashmir and urged human rights defenders to stand up for oppressed Kashmiris.

Dr. Faisal said that Indian forces violated LoC for 1300 times during the running year. He said Hurriyat leadership in under detention in occupied Kashmir. He said 800 Kashmiris are illegally detained by Indian forces. He lodged strong protest with India over human rights violations in occupied Kashmir. He further said Pakistan has presented report in Geneva in human rights council while over 117 countries attended this event. He said number of countries admitted that human rights situation has improved in Pakistan.

He said Pakistan has made representation to Kal Bhoshan Yadev to meet with her spouse, adding this representation was made on purely humanitarian basis. Pakistan and the United States are engaged in a comprehensive dialogue to bridge gap between perceptions of the two countries on different issues.

Foreign Office spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal told newsmen during weekly briefing in Islamabad on Thursday that the two sides are trying to arrive at consensus on how to move forward.

He said the process of renewed engagement started when Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met American leadership on sidelines of the UN General Assembly Session in New York.

This was followed by exchange of several visits by senior officials of the two countries and delegation level talks. He said the US Congress has authorized reimbursement of $ 700 million under Coalition Support Fund (CSF).

The spokesperson said Pakistan also wants re-start of Strategic Dialogue between the two countries that has wider avenues for cooperation. He said Pakistan is in touch with SAARC Secretariat and member states for early holding of summit of the organization in Pakistan .

Dr. Muhammad Faisal said presence of terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan is a reality. He said report of the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has confirmed that more than 43% of Afghan territory is not under the control of the Government.

He said Pakistan appreciates steps taken by the UK government in connection with anti-Pakistan propaganda through London cabs, which was violation of UN Charter.

To a question, he said there was no change in Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, adding its stance was same as it was seventy years ago. He categorically said that Pakistan can not move single inch back to its stance. He said there were three parties of the Kashmir issue and without holding talks with these parties, this issue could not be resolved. He said Pakistan, Kashmiris and India are the main parties of Kashmir issue.