Pakistan has welcomed foreign observers from various countries to show them impartiality in the forthcoming general elections scheduled for May 11.
Foreign Office Spokesman Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said in his weekly briefing, “Pakistan welcomes foreign election observers because our leadership is committed to hold free, fair and transparent election in the country.”
He said this exercise would help improve the credibility amongst the international community.
Regarding the decision of European Union Election Observers to not to travel to FATA and Balochistan, the spokesman said, after getting accreditation from the Election Commission of Pakistan, all the observers were issued a travel advisory by the Interior Ministry.
He said so far they had received requests from National Democratic Institute, Commonwealth, United Kingdom, Turkey, Malaysia, Australia, Mauritius and Maldives for sending their election observers and their case was under process.
About threatening statements by North Korea, the spokesman said Pakistan shared the concern of international community on the recent tension and deteriorating situation in Korean peninsula.
He said Pakistan always supported nuclear-free Korean peninsula.
“We are monitoring the evolving situation in Korean peninsula and taking necessary measures to ensure the safety of our diplomats and staff there.”
Chaudhry said dialogue on strategic issues between Pakistan and Russia was going to be held on 25th of this month as part of the ongoing consultative rounds of meetings.
He said issues relating to disarmament, non-proliferation, strategic stability in South Asia and cooperation in science and technology would be discussed during the meeting.
To a question, the spokesman described Pakistan-China friendship as a source of stability in the region and said no one should worry about growing relationship between the two countries.
About India’s concern about handing over of GwadarPort to Chinese, the spokesman said Pak-China relations were sources of strength and stability in the region.
On Pak-India ties, the spokesman said, “We have shown degree of responsibility and restraint on incidents of violations of Line of Control and hostile statements by India.”
To a question about travel advisory issued by the US State Department for its citizens, the spokesman said Pakistan security situation had improved to a great deal and a number of visitors and investors were travelling to the country.
To a question, the spokesman said Pakistan was not a part of any scoring game on its nuclear programme, as the programme was only for deterrence purposes.
Answering a question regarding new labour and residency laws in Saudi Arabia, the spokesman said Pakistan had taken up the matter with Saudi authorities and Pakistan counsel general visited the deportation camps and jails there.
He said in this regard, Pakistan had also written a letter to Saudi king saying Pakistanis were playing a contributing factor towards Saudi economy.
The spokesman said Saudi Arabia had given a three-month grace period to Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia to regularise their status.
He said the Pakistan embassy in Saudi Arabia was in touch with Saudi authorities to protect the interests of Pakistanis.
The spokesman said Pakistan was developing relations with Egypt in a positive way and any individual statement could not affect the trajectory of these relations.
Regarding current status of Pakistan-US relations, he said, “We have regular contacts with US at all levels and relationship is being advanced on basis of mutual respect, dignity and mutuality of benefits.”
Regarding Afghanistan, he said there were challenges, but Pakistani and Afghan leadership was trying to resolve issues.
