Pakistan has said the courts will decide about Shakil Afridi and issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui and Shakil Afridi could not be linked.
Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said this during his weekly press briefing at the Foreign Office on Friday.
He said Dr Shakil Afridi had defied Pakistani laws and he was being tried by Pakistani courts.
“Whatever decision is made by court on this count, no one will interfere in it,” he said. “The court’s verdict will be implemented.”
Dr Aafia’s issue had been raised with the US, he stated.
“Pakistan is striving for a prisoner swap accord with the US,” he indicated.
Citing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the US, he said the visit remained successful and productive.
“The PM has held meetings with US President Obama and other US senior officials. Now dialogue will take place with the US on the principles of mutual respect and equality,” he underlined.
“Pakistan-US ties are very vital. Our stance on drone strikes is very clear,” he remarked.
The spokesman said Nawaz had raised the issue of drone strikes in no uncertain terms with President Obama. “The drone operation will soon come to a halt. Pressure from international community with respect to drone strikes is also mounting,” he pointed out.
He said the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project also came under discussion with the US, adding that Pakistan had all options in this regard.
“We want better relations with neighbouring countries,” he said.
“Nawaz Sharif has sent positive message to India. Persistent violations of Line of Control (LoC) by India are regrettable. We have strong reservations over these violations. Indian forces resorted to unprovoked firing on Pakistani checkposts. The Indian firing along LoC following the desire from Pakistan for peace and positive statements from PM Nawaz Sharif is regrettable,” Chaudhry said.
The prime ministers of both Pakistan and India had agreed to defuse tension on LoC, he said. “No meeting has been held between DGMOS of both Pakistan and India,” he stated. “It is our stance that this meeting should take place forthwith,” he added.
The spokesman said a judicial commission was working on Mumbai attacks, adding that India should provide more evidence with reference to the attacks.
“Pakistan’s stance is very clear on this count,” he added.
