Daily Times

Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Faisal on Thursday said Pakistan wants an end to the controversy surrounding a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Imran Khan and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.

“We want an end to this matter and move forward politically,” Dr Faisal said while responding to a question during his weekly press briefing.

“The foreign minister has already issued a detailed clarification … we will not comment further on this matter,” he asserted. However, he avoided answering a question that whether the US had sent a transcript of the conversation to Pakistan.

The spokesman said no decision had been taken so far on expelling the Dutch ambassador over the issue of blasphemous sketches contest. He said Pakistan had taken a serious notice of the nefarious plan of a Dutch parliamentarian and raised the issue at relevant platforms. The foreign minister has also sent letters to the OIC secretary general and his counterparts of Muslim countries, stressing collective efforts, he said, and added that the OIC group of ambassadors in Geneva would take up the issue at a session on human rights to be held on September 10. He said Pakistan would also raise the matter at the United Nations General Assembly session.

To a question that whether Pakistan planned to suspend its social media services to check the blasphemous material, Faisal said it was a very emotional yet sensitive issue for everyone. “However, extreme step would not be taken unnecessarily,” he added.

Responding to a question about the Chahbahar Port, Dr Faisal said, “India’s part in the port does not affect us. We have to move forward together and are assessing investment opportunities in it.”

The spokesman said that Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif’s two-day visit to Pakistan was a ‘positive’ development. “Zarif will meet Prime Minister Imran Khan, FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other senior leaders during his visit,” he added.

He said Pakistan and China are iron brothers, adding that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the flagship project of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The spokesman said that efforts were being made to improve relations between Pakistan and India. Trade between the two countries is a major issue. “Opening of Kartarpura passage can prove to be a turning point in this regard,” he hoped.

On situation in Indian-held Kashmir, the spokesman said atrocities by Indian forces continue in the occupied valley. “Only last week, Indian forces martyred 10 Kashmiris,” he said. Condemning the arrest of Hurriyat leaders, Dr Faisal expressed concerns over their deteriorating health in detention. “International community should take notice of the violation of human rights in occupied Kashmir,” he stressed. “We summoned Indian deputy high commissioner over the martyrdom of a citizen in unprovoked firing of Indian forces at the Line of Control,” he shared. In response to a question, the FO spokesperson said there was no development in the Aafia Siddiqui case.

Published in Daily Times, August 31^st 2018.