Pakistan has brought forward Ambassador Shahryar Khan for conducting track-II diplomacy in order to improve ties with India, FO spokesman Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said in his weekly media briefing on Friday.
He said former foreign secretary Shahryar Ahmad Khan had been asked by the prime minister to conduct Track-II diplomacy.
The latest move by Islamabad reflects the eagerness of Nawaz Sharif regime to maintain ties with New Delhi and to settle down issues with India through dialogue based upon mutual respect and equality.
After taking charge as PM, Nawaz immediately gave a signal to Indians for stabilising the situation in the region and to bring closer both countries, a move responded positively to by the other side as well.
Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry noted, “The prime minister has given Ambassador Shahryar Khan the responsibility of conducting track-II diplomacy in order to improve our ties with India.”
The Indian side has also shown positive reaction over re-igniting the freezing composite dialogues to normalise its border with Pakistan, as well as the situation in the South Asian region where two nuclear powers always stay at brinks of nuclear war because of various issues.
During his earlier tenures, Nawaz took several measures to remove the trust deficit between the two countries, however, these efforts became prey to incidents like Kargil expedition, Mumbai attacks, border firing incidents, Samjhota express bombings and Godhra violence incidents.
Chaudhry said Ambassador Shahryar was in India and engaging the Indian leadership.
“Track-II diplomacy has been a part of the overall peace process between Pakistan and India and complements the bilateral efforts for peace.”
The recent appointment is also a clear indication for the beginning of new era of friendly relations between Pakistan and India with little hopes to advance further to build mutual trust between the two countries.
It is soon likely that both countries initiate the composite dialogue that has been in the doldrums from past several months because of aggression expressed from both sides against one another, after incidents of terrorism and violence.
Over the current situation in Egypt, the FO said Islamabad had been following the events in Egypt and hoped that Egyptians would deal with the situation in a democratic manner.
Elaborating, he mentioned that Pakistan was following a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries but it stressed the values of democracy be upheld.
“Pakistan and Egypt enjoy close friendly relations based on strong bonds of fraternity, mutual respect and aspirations of the people of the two countries,” he added.
Over counter-terrorism cooperation between Pakistan and China, he said there was close cooperation between Pakistan and China and a joint working group met regularly in this regard.
“The two sides are satisfied at the level of bilateral cooperation in this field,” Chaudhry further added.
To a question‚ the spokesman said the exact date and agenda of the visit of the US Secretary of State John Kerry, expected later this month‚ were being finalised.
“The prime minister has directed for all government expenditure reduced. We have also been asked to prepare proposals to cut down the expenditure up to 30 percent. In compliance with the directive of the prime minister, the foreign ministry has formulated some austerity proposals. The prime minister will take a final decision on this matter,” the FO said.
To a query in connection with unmanned predator strikes, he said the issue of drone strikes, which violated Pakistan’s sovereignty‚ was violation of international law and human rights, besides being counter-productive, and would be taken up again in forthcoming contacts with the US.
To a question regarding Afghan army chief’s accusations that Pakistan controlled the Taliban‚ the spokesman said Pakistan was sincere in its efforts to see peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The FO official hoped that sincerity of Pakistan would be appreciated and reciprocated and negative statements avoided.
About reports of Indian BSF facilitating militants entering Pakistan‚ the spokesman said the two countries had border management mechanism and contacted each other when the need arose.
He‚ however‚ said Pakistan expected that its policy of having good neighbourly relations with India would be reciprocated from the other side.