Pakistan decides to apprise UN

ALI HUSSAN

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office on Thursday said that Pakistan would take up the Indian involvement in terrorist activities in the country at United Nations (UN) level besides instructing its ambassadors abroad to inform the host countries about Indian interference in Pakistan.

Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah told his weekly press briefing that the Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN had also taken the world body into confidence over the recent developments between India and Pakistan, including cancellations of National Security Advisers (NSAs) talks.

He said that the NSAs level talks between Pakistan and India could not take place due to preconditions set by the Indian side.

When asked whether Pakistan intended to raise the issues which were to be discussed by the NSAs at the forthcoming UNGA session and present evidence of Indian interference, he emphasized that we would keep the UN informed of all issues of concern to Pakistan.

About possibility of resuming talks with India, he said that it was up to the India to indicate its position and as far as Pakistan’s position was concerned, he said, “We had clearly stated that preconditions would not be accepted for the talks. “Because preconditions were attached to the [NSAs level] talks, therefore, there was no point left for the talks that’s why the delegation did not proceed”, he added.

To a question about likelihood of any meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York in September, he said that currently there was no proposal under consideration for a meeting between the two premiers.

Responding another query, he confirmed that a meeting of DG Pakistan Rangers and DG Indian BSF would take place in New Delhi next month where the two countries are expected to discuss the LoC and Working Boundary (WB) related issues. He pointed out that the Rangers and BSF officials had met in the past as well and they would be meeting again next month to discuss ceasefire violations on the LoC and WB.

To a query about Indian media claims that Dawood Ibrahim was in Pakistan, he rejected the reports, saying Pakistan’s consistent position on Dawood Ibrahim had been that “he is not in Pakistan”.

He also referred to a statement by Indian Minister of State for Home Affairs given in the Parliament a few months ago that whereabouts of Dawood Ibrahim were not known. “His statement vindicated our position,” he added.

Responding a question about any update on reimbursement of the CSF from the US, he said that Pakistan and the US enjoyed close relations and a number of visits had been exchanged between the two countries over the last few months. “All issues of mutual interest including defence ties and CSF were discussed in meetings held between the two sides during these visits,” he added.

The spokesperson said that a visit of the Prime Minister to the US would take place this year on the invitation of US President Obama and the date of the visit is being discussed by the two sides.

Against this backdrop, he informed that security of our embassy personnel and premises in Afghanistan had become a matter of top priority for the government of Pakistan. “Accordingly, we have conveyed our concerns to the relevant authorities in Afghanistan. “In response, we have been assured that all possible measures will be taken to ensure the security of our personnel and premises in Afghanistan,” he added.

When asked to update on resumption of peace talks between Afghan government and the Taliban, he reiterated that Pakistan’s role is that of a facilitator and we had facilitated the first round of talks which was positive and productive. “It is up to the Afghans now to decide about further steps in this regard. Pakistan remains committed to supporting and facilitating an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan,” he added.

About the allegations levelled against Pakistan by Afghan leadership, he said that from time to time, Pakistan had been expressing its concerns on allegations levelled by the Afghan government officials against Pakistan and anti-Pakistan campaigns by Afghan media.

He said that Pakistan had been sincerely making efforts to promote peace and tranquillity on Pakistan-Afghanistan border. “Border issues are also discussed during meetings held between the two sides including military officials of the two countries,” he added.

About some Pakistani believed to be in Israeli jails, he said that authorities concerned are making efforts through our friendly countries and the UN to ascertain the facts.