ISLAMABAD: Pakistan welcomed all efforts to normalize relations between Pakistan and India, saying that peace between the two countries is key to security and development in the region today.
In a weekly media briefing at the Foreign Office in the federal capital, Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said, “We are committed to having good relations with all neighbours in the region but the serious issues between India and Pakistan should be resolved through dialogue.”
Referring to the recent telephonic conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the spokesman said Pakistan welcomes all efforts to normalise bilateral relations.
Referring to some statements, the spokesperson said Pakistan will take all appropriate actions and measures to protect its national interest.
Replying to a question about Modi's offer to release Pakistani fishermen detained in India, the spokesperson said logistical arrangements are being finalised in this regard, and exchange of detained fishermen will be made very soon as it had taken a while to complete the process.
Answering a question about cooperation to fight against terrorism, the spokesperson said Pakistan has been making sincere efforts in this regard and is already cooperating with the international community.
He said Pakistan has already clarified that there is no footprint of Islamic State (IS) in Pakistan, even though Pakistan has time and again expressed concern over the group's activities.
Reports of IS activity inside the country emerged in 2014 against the backdrop of two ongoing military operations against the TTP and its affiliates in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency.
Commenting on Pak-Russia ties, the spokesperson said Russian Federation is an important country and Pakistan had adopted a policy of constructive engagement with all the countries in the region and recent engagement with Russian Federation is in that context.
He said there has been an upward trajectory in Pak-Russian bilateral relations, adding that high-level contact had taken place between people on both sides.
The spokesman clarified that bilateral relations of any two countries are always independent of any influence from any other country.
Replying to a question on the recent Yemen situation, the spokesperson said Pakistan has appreciated the efforts of the United Nations for starting Geneva talks to find a peaceful solution to the Yemen crisis.
He said Pakistan also supported the efforts of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Minister held recently in Jeddah where all the members of the OIC also spoke for a peaceful solution to the Yemen crisis.
He said Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz who attended the OIC Foreign Minister's extra-ordinary meeting urged the Muslim community to join hands to find a peaceful solution to the Yemen crisis.
Following initiation of the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen against Houthi rebels, Pakistan was formally contacted by top Saudi officials, requesting it to join the Yemen operation.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had held several meetings with top civil and military officials and had on several occasions said that a "threat to Saudi Arabia's territorial integrity will evoke a strong response from Pakistan". But despite repeated statements in favour of Saudi Arabia's stance, Pakistan did not officially commit its troops to the offensive in Yemen.
To evolve consensus on the matter, a joint parliament session was summoned by the government to debate Pakistan's role in Yemen. After days of discussion, Pakistan's lawmakers opted for neutrality in the conflict.
Although implying that Islamabad should refrain from assisting Riyadh militarily, the resolution added that Pakistan should stand shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia to protect the latter's territorial integrity.