ISLAMABAD - Islamabad said Thursday that waving Pakistan’s flag by the Kashmiris in the Indian-occupied Kashmir was reflection of their love for Pakistan.
“We’ll extend diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris in their struggle for just cause”, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said in the weekly press briefing, asking New Delhi to implement the UN Security Council’s resolutions in this regard.
Commenting on the protest rallies in the Indian Occupied Kashmir where Pakistan flags were prominent, the spokesperson said Pakistan is concerned about the continuous violence and violation of fundamental rights of the Kashmiris.
The spokesperson said Pakistan has principled stand on Kashmir issue that it should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiris through resolutions of Security Council of the United Nations. Expressing concern over the excessive use of force against the Kashmiris to curb their struggle, the spokesperson said India could not deny the basic rights of the Kashmiris.
The spokesperson said Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state with a strong command and control structure headed by the prime minister. She said Pakistan achieved nuclear power based on minimum credible deterrence and due to increased threats. She said, “Pakistan does not want conventional and nuclear arms race in the region.”
The spokesperson said Pakistan proposed to India ‘Strategic Constraint Regime’ in 1999 but still waiting any positive response from New Delhi.
Answering a question about any contradiction in the resolution adopted unanimously in the joint session of the parliament and statement of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the issue, the spokesperson said there is no contradiction in the resolution and statement of the PM.
She said Pakistan’s delegation headed by Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister visited Saudi Arabia along with Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry to convey message of the PM to Saudi leadership.
She said any policy of Pakistan regarding Yemen will be in Pakistan’s national interest. Welcoming the UN Security Council resolution on the situation in Yemen, the spokesperson said Pakistan is pleased to note that this GCC led initiative in the Security Council conforms with Pakistan’s stated position on the situation in Yemen, in particular strong support for the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen and the legitimate Government of President Hadi.
She said Pakistan had already condemned non-state actors in Yemen added that condemnation of the actions of the Houthis and call for resolution of the situation through inclusive dialogue has been ensured in this resolution.
On remarks of Foreign Minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE), the spokesperson said these were just on social media and Pakistan has not been officially conveyed about these remarks. She said, “We did not respond to the remarks on Tweet.”
Commenting on the perception of need of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s commitment to extend full support and cooperation to Saudi Arabia in case of any threat to its sovereignty and integrity, the spokesperson said Pakistan is in touch with Saudi Arabia and evaluating the situation in this regard. She said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is in close contact with the leadership of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran and other countries to discuss the Yemen situation.
About the details of telephonic contact between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US Secretary of State John Kerry, the spokesperson without giving the inside details said the situation in Yemen was discussed by them.
On evacuation of stranded Pakistanis from Yemen, the spokesperson said officially the evacuation process had been terminated. She said there are about 100 Pakistanis still living in Yemen who told Pakistani embassy that their employers had assured their security. She said Pakistan is still ready for evacuation of any Pakistani and a Navy Ship is near Yemen to do so if needed.
On reconciliation process in Afghanistan, the spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan has very clear policy that it will provide any sort of help and assistance in the reconciliation process that should be Afghan-owned and Afghan-led.