ISLAMABAD - The United States is satisfied with Pakistan efforts for peace in Afghanistan, the foreign ministry said this Thursday.
Speaking at a weekly media briefing here, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammed Faisal said US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells was in Pakistan earlier this week and both sides reviewed the state of play in the bilateral relationship as well as the regional security issues, particularly Afghanistan.
“Ambassador Wells appreciated the recent successful visit of the Prime Minister (Shahid Khaqan Abbasi) to Kabul and the progress being made on Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) and it was agreed to continue regular bilateral discussions at all levels to achieve the common objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region,” he maintained.
Reiterating Pakistan’s stance for a politically negotiated settlement, owned and led by the Afghans, Faisal said, Pakistan reaffirmed its constructive participation in all regional and bilateral mechanisms aimed at pursuing a peaceful solution to the Afghan conflict.
“Matters related to Afghan refugees, rise in drug/poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, and the use of Afghan soil to launch terrorist attacks in Pakistan were also raised. Ambassador Wells was also briefed on the atrocities and human rights violations being committed by the Indian forces in the Indian Occupied Kashmir resulting in hundreds of casualties. The issue of USA diplomat’s accident (that killed a Pakistani) did come under discussion and both sides agreed to resolve the issue amicably,” he said.
Ambassador Wells, he said, expressed condolences to the victim of the tragic accident. “We agreed that the matter will be resolved as per applicable laws,” he added.
To a question, he said, Pakistan was not frustrated on Indian missile activities but international community must take notice of such aggressive behaviour. He said that Pakistan possess full capacity to answer Indian actions in same manners.
Faisal said that Indian official including Prime Minister Narendra Modi keep giving provocative statements against Pakistan even in other countries. “Pakistan has always maintained a dignified attitude and has retaliated only when it was necessary”, he added.
He said that political vendetta was at its peak against Kashmiri leaders. “Even women leaders and activists are being arrested on the ground that they protested along with the students against the rape and murder of a Muslim minor girl at Kathua”, he added.
He said: “We note with concern the acquittal by the Indian courts in the Mecca Masjid blast. The gradual acquittal of accused of Samjhota terrorist attack, including the mastermind Swami Aseemanand, makes a travesty of the Indian judicial system.”
Mecca Masjid blast is related to us because Pakistan has regularly lodged its concern with India regarding the lack of progress in the Samjhota terrorist attacks, in which more than 42 Pakistanis lost their lives, despite a lapse of more than a decade, spokesperson said.
Replying to another question, he said, India was making a complete mockery of its justice system, especially while dealing with Saffron terrorism and terrorist acts committed under the garb of Hindutva and Hindu fundamentalism.
He said all the counter terrorism actions taken by Pakistan are in Pakistan’s own national interest. “We do not lodge such operations on anyone’s orders, we always have given priority to our national interests”, he added.
The spokesperson said Pakistan and China friendship was all weather and time-tested. “The strategic partnership between Pakistan and China is based on mutual trust and convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and international issues. Pakistan-China relations are not aimed against any country,” he said.
Pakistan, he said, “fully endorse Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent statement that China-Pakistan all weather strategic partnership is not only valuable treasure of the two countries, but also stands as an example for building new type international relations. These bilateral relations remain a priority in the foreign policy of both countries. We resolutely support each other’s core and major interests; strengthen collaboration on international and regional affairs to build China-Pakistan community of common destiny.”
He said Pakistan and China continue to engage regularly on all matters of mutual interest. Recently, at the sidelines of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Foreign Minister met the Chinese President, Vice President and State Councillor and Foreign Minister in Beijing.
Faisal said Pakistan’s relations with Russia were constantly improving as is evident from recent visits by Foreign Minister, Chief of Army Staff and National Security Adviser to Russia.
“Our relations with Russia are growing steadily in all fields and are independent of our bilateral ties with any other country. Pakistan also enjoys historic and friendly relations with the United States,” he said.
To a question, Faisal said Pakistan was not carrying out counter-terrorism activities at the behest or call of the international community. “Instead, it is our own resolve and deep recognition at all levels, that the menace of terrorism and extremism must be rooted out of our soil. The effective implementation of National Action Plan, unanimously passed, and the gains of counter-terrorism operations by our valiant military are already evident, and have also earned respect and recognition from the international community,” he said. The spokesperson said it was in Pakistan’s own interest to wipe out terrorism and extremism from all quarters and walks of life so that patience and tolerance returns.
About the firing from Afghanistan this month, Faisal said on April 15, “our troops came under fire in Kurram Agency from Afghan border forces and tribesmen. On hearing the news of border clashes, people of Kurram Agency also rushed to the border to support our forces. To tackle the situation, in addition to a flag meeting, a Jirga (tribal assembly) comprising the tribal elders from the two sides was also convened. It helped defuse tensions and settle the situation amicably.”
However, Faisal said matters related to border coordination, fencing and movement of people and goods were being dealt through official channels between the two countries. Pakistan, he said, has always maintained that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan.
About Iran’s warning that it was ready to ‘vigorously’ resume nuclear enrichment if the United States scraps the 2015 nuclear deal, he said: “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is a multilateral Agreement, which Pakistan supported as a matter of principle. Iran has complied with the provisions of the Agreement. We hope that all the parties to the Agreement would uphold it.”
On Syrian crises, Faisal said Pakistan’s position on Syria was very clear and remained unchanged.
He said Pakistan will submit its reply in the International Court of Justice regarding convicted Indian spy Kulbushan Jadhav’s case in July.