Pakistan on Thursday firmly rejected Indian allegations that its intelligence agency was exporting terrorism to India.
Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry in his weekly press briefing, strongly refuted allegations by the Indian home minister against the Pakistani agency, terming his statement uncalled for and counterproductive.
This can undermine efforts aimed at normalising relations between the two countries, he added.
The spokesman said Pakistan itself was a victim of terrorism and had rendered matchless sacrifices in the war against terror.
He called upon New Delhi to share evidence before hurling any accusations.
Chaudhry said the timing of the statement was not good as a new leadership in Pakistan had expressed its desire to normalise relations with the neighbouring country.
It is time to focus on building relations and resolving all outstanding disputes, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
Responding to a question on drone attacks, the FO spokesman declared them as counterproductive and in violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had articulated Pakistan’s position and called for an end to the strikes.
He said, “Our foreign policy is based on national interests and reflects aspirations of the people of the country.”
The spokesman said the newly elected government, in its guidelines, had laid emphasis on a peaceful neighbourhood, economic diplomacy and the energy sector.
When asked about a protest demonstration taken out close to the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, Chaudhry expressed concern over it and said under the Vienna Convention, it was the responsibility of host country to provide full security to diplomatic staff.
Regarding expulsion of Pakistanis from Saudi Arabia, Chaudhry said the Pakistani mission was providing all necessary guidance to Pakistani workers.
“We have engaged legal counsel at the deportation centers to facilitate the Pakistani workers,” he added.
Responding to a question, the spokesman said ambassadors in the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Muscat had been asked to relinquish their charges.
On the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Pakistan, he it was on the cards but a date had not been fixed as yet.
Pakistan rejects Indian allegations of exporting terrorism
