ISLAMABAD – Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal says durablepeace in South Asia is not possible unless the core issue of Kashmir isresolved.
Addressing weekly news briefing in Islamabad today, he said Kashmir isunsettled issue for the last seventy years and it has to resolve accordingto United Nations resolutions and as per the wishes of Kashmiri people.
Dr Mohammad Faisal said the human rights violations being perpetrated byIndian security forces in Occupied Kashmir are alarming and there is animmediate need to stop these.
He said Pakistan is willing to hold talks with India on all contentiousissues including Siachen, Sir Creek and terrorism.
Dr. Mohammad Faisal said Pakistan wishes for peace and wants to settle alloutstanding issues with India through dialogue, as expressed by PrimeMinister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. He, however,made it clear that Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be misconstruedas our weakness.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan acted with self-restraint andmaturity while responding to Indian aggression late last month, and thecountry’s response was acknowledged by the world community.
The captured Indian pilot was released on the direction of Prime MinisterImran Khan as a goodwill gesture, in order to de-escalate tensions withIndia.
The Foreign Office spokesperson added that friends and well-wishers ofPakistan, including the US, played a key part in defusing the crisis withIndia and these efforts also include back channel and private diplomacy.
Replying to a question, the Foreign Office spokesperson said dossierprovided by India is being examined and an appropriate reply will be givensoon. The Foreign Office spokesperson said the actions against proscribedorganizations are being taken in accordance with National Action Plan. Thewhole process is transparent and media is being updated regularly. He tolda questioner that any decision regarding Maulana Masud Azhar will be takenin broader national interest.
On another question, the Foreign Office spokesperson said Saudi StateMinister for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir is to arrive in Pakistan todayfor a day-long visit, during which he will hold meeting with ForeignMinister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to discuss a host of issues.
He said Saudi Arabia is a brotherly country to Pakistan and both countriesenjoy long-standing relations.
When asked about the Kartarpur Corridor, he said the opening of the routewas an initiative of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa with the solepurpose to facilitate Sikh community of visiting one of their holiestplaces. He said talks on Kartarpur will be held in Attari, India nextThursday.
Dr. Mohammad Faisal said Pakistan lodged a strong protest with India overthe killing of Pakistani prisoner Shakirullah in Indian jail. A case hasbeen lodged against the jailer on behalf of Government of Pakistan.
Foreign Office spokesperson said the decision of not participating in themeeting of OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers in Abu Dhabi was made aftertaking the sense of all political parties in the national assembly. He saidPakistan, being a founding member of OIC, is opposed to participation ofIndia in this forum of Muslim countries. He said in past numerousresolutions have been passed in the OIC against India, including the humanrights violations in Occupied Kashmir, demolition of Babri Mosque andothers.
On Afghanistan, he said the series of meetings held between US specialenvoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban leader Mullah Bradar are part of theprocess of resolving the decades’ old Afghan conflict. Pakistan supportsthis process to bring enduring peace in the neighboring country.