Daily Times

ISLAMABAD – Taking notice of baseless charges against a Pakistani diplomat in Dhaka, Pakistan urged the Bangladesh government to demonstrate the spirit of reconciliation and forward looking approach enshrined in the 1974 Tripartite Agreement.

The Foreign Office on Thursday rejected media reports claiming deportation of a Pakistani diplomat. Farina Arshad- second secretary at Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka – was constantly being harassed by the Bangladeshi authorities. The government of Pakistan twice summoned the High Commissioner of Bangladesh and a strong protest was lodged against the treatment meted out to her, the Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said in a statement issued here.

He said that the diplomat had been withdrawn on the request of Bangladesh government not deported. “There is no truth in allegations leveled against Farina Arshad,” the spokesman said. He said that an incessant and orchestrated media campaign was launched against the diplomat on spurious charges linking her with so-called terrorists. “Our High Commission in Dhaka issued a strong rebuttal against the baseless and fabricated charges against the diplomat,” he said. “Following this protest, it was decided to withdraw her. She has since returned back,” he said.

Earlier, Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka also condemned news reports published in local dailies regarding the deportation of female diplomat over allegedly charges of ‘terror links.’

The spokesman clarified that a briefing was provided to the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs by Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry in an in-camera session. It was in line with Pakistan’s earlier stated position on various issues raised during the briefing, the spokesman said in a statement issued here in response to questions concerning media reports about the contents of the briefing.

Reiterating Pakistan’s position in Saudi-led military alliance, the spokesman underscored that in keeping with Pakistan’s unflinching commitment to combating terrorism and support for all regional and international efforts to eliminate the menace of terrorism. Pakistan welcomed the formation of the coalition to counter terrorism and was awaiting further details to decide the extent of its participation in different activities of the coalition.

He said that Pakistan had a principled position on the situation in Syria based on respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria. “We believe that Syrian government and opposition groups should exercise restraint and settle their differences peacefully,” the statement said.

“Pakistan supports all efforts employed at facilitating a peaceful Syrian-led and inclusive solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people through a comprehensive political dialogue,” it added.