Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Taking strong exception to the unwarranted references against ‘a third country’ in the Indo-US joint statement issued on September 6, 2018, after meetings of US secretary of state and the secretary of defense with their Indian counterparts in New Delhi, Pakistan on Thursday rejected the allegations as ‘baseless’ and termed it ‘inconsistent with the established diplomatic norms’.

“We are of the view that mentioning of a third country with unsubstantiated accusations in a formal outcome document is inconsistent with the established diplomatic norms. Accordingly, we have conveyed our position to the US side as well,” Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Faisal told a weekly media briefing. “What is more ironic is that many other thorny issues involving the third countries were avoided in the joint statement by the Indian side on the pretext of the same diplomatic practice,” he added.

Replying to allegations of delay in Mumbai attacks trial, the spokesman said Mumbai trial is ongoing in Pakistan in an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan and that judicial process shall take its course.

“As you are aware, the Mumbai trial is ongoing in the anti-terrorism court in Pakistan. The judicial process will definitely culminate once entire procedure is completed, including evidences and documents required from India,” he said. The spokesman said Pakistan expected the US to focus similarly, if not more, on the Indian state terrorism and the resulting humanitarian emergency in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK). “Indian occupation forces continue to kill innocent Kashmiris with impunity. Last month alone, more than 30 innocent Kashmiris were slaughtered. Hurriyat leaders continue to be incarcerated on trumped up charges. Foreign journalists are prevented from reporting on the situation in the valley. The recent suspension of Al Jazeera is just a case in point,” he maintained. The spokesman said after the brutal murder of Shujaat Bokhari, Indian forces have arrested Kashmiri journalist Atif Aasif Sultan on trumped up charges, exposing the truth behind Indian claims of being the so-called biggest democracy and its commitment to freedom of expression and the press. “It is also unsurprising to see no mention of the continued ceasefire violations by India across the LoC/WB which poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region,” he added.

To a question about a recent statement by Indian high commissioner to Pakistan while addressing a gathering in Calcutta that the new government in Pakistan has opened a political window for India and filled India with certain hopes, the spokesman said Pakistan had noted the statement of India high commissioner. “We are also saying since long that dialogue is the only way forward to settle all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India. We are officially waiting for a response from India on how they want to move forward,” he said. “We have a consistent position on this. If you see the recent overtures, Prime Minister Modi called our prime minister and our foreign minister also received a letter from his Indian counterpart. We want to utilize the same window and see how we can move forward,” he added.

To another question, the spokesman confirmed that track II contact is on with India which is a normal practice. To another question, he said, Secretary Pompeo’s visit to Islamabad last week was welcomed by Pakistan which offered an opportunity for both the sides to have a very frank and candid conversation. “Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has been invited to Washington DC by the secretary of state,” he said, and added the continuation of engagement at the leadership level was important to take the relationship forward. To a question, the spokesman confirmed that Prime Minister Imran Khan will pay official visit to Saudi Arabia, and the dates will be announced shortly. He said that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will visit Afghanistan on 15th of the current month. During the visit, he will meet Afghan leadership and discuss issues concerning peace and security, he added. Replying to another question, the spokesman said that Pakistan has closed its consulate in Jalalabad due to security concerns and its visa operations has been shifted to Pakistan embassy in Kabul. To a question, he categorically rejected that Pakistan is considering renegotiating the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project with China, adding that Pakistan is committed to early completion of the project which would bring investment and economic stability to the country as well as the region.

Published in Daily Times, September 14^th 2018.