ISLAMABAD - Pakistan stands for reforms in the United Nations with consensus of all member states but opposes addition of new permanent members to the Security Council, reiterated Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi M Khaliullah Thursday.
At a weekly news briefing in Islamabad he said “there had been various proposals by its members and Pakistan being member of the “Uniting for Consensus” group was opposed in principle to include any individual permanent member to the UN Security Council. It has advocated an effective and feasible reform of the Security Council, based on consensus among the UN Membership”.
Qazi said that the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address the annual United Nations General Assembly on September 30 and details of the visit are still being chalked out. “The prime minister’s speech before UNGA is being finalised, however, there was no indication so far about any meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi,” said Qazi.
On latest LoC violations by India which led to martyrdom of one Pakistani soldier and injuring another he expressed concern over Line of Control (LoC) violations and asked India to honour ceasefire agreement between the two countries. He was asked why New Delhi had resorted to cross border violations after a commitment by its minister that it would not be the first to fire the first bullet indicating a disconnect in Indian political and military leadership. “Yes certainly there is a disconnect what we are told than the ground realities.
A question on media reports that Indian Home minister Rajnat Singh who was quoted saying that the talks with Pakistan would now be held on Azad Kashmir and not on Indian occupied Kashmir, he said according to his information, Indian minister did not said any such thing.
To another question Qazi Khaliullah said Pakistan wanted to become member of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and efforts are underway in this regard.
“Pakistan supports Afghan reconciliation process and hopes Afghan Taliban will renounce violence and return to the negotiating table,” Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said, during his weekly press briefing.
Commenting on Pak-Afghan border issues, the spokesperson said the two neighbours are discussing measures to keep the border peaceful.
Commenting on the recent visit to Kabul by the Prime Minister’s adviser on national security and foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz, he said the basic purpose was to attend the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan but he utilized the opportunity to meet with Afghan President Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Ghani and his Afghan counterpart.
Sartaj Aziz’s meetings in Kabul were “very very useful in enhancing understanding of the issues both sides have been discussing” during their talks. However the key message of Aziz’s interaction with Kabul leadership was “to enhance trust between the two countries and have discussion on other issues of concern.”
The spokesman said peace in Afghanistan was necessary not only for Pakistan but also for the entire region and iterated his commitment to have peaceful border with Kabul.
He refused to comment on internal issues between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. He expressed his hope that Taliban would enter into dialogue with Afghan government, saying, Pakistan was interested in dialogue process in Afghanistan.
The Foreign Office spokesman said that Pakistan condemns Israeli aggression against Palstinians during recent clashes in and around Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the issue calling upon the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution setting timelines and parameters for establishing an independent, viable and contiguous state of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.
On Pak- US relations, he said both the countries enjoyed cordial relations and had been frequently discussing issues of mutual concern. He referred to an on-going discussion between the two countries in form of their strategic dialogue. Qazi acceded that there were issues where Islamabad and Washington had divergence of opinion which was quite normal in any two states.