– PML-N honours PPP govt’s agreements with India, does not intend to ink new pacts
Federal Information Minister Pervez Rasheed said on Tuesday that ongoing peace talks with Taliban militants are backed by all political forces in the country, a private news channel reported.
Speaking to media persons, the minister stressed upon the need of dialogue with Taliban in order to peacefully resolve the issue of militancy and terrorism. “It was a unanimous decision of all political parties that the government should engage Taliban in dialogues,” he said, adding that PML-N government is enjoying full backing from all political forces.
INDIA AS MOST FAVOURED:
Replying to a question about granting Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, he said that Islamabad is not going to ink any accord with New Delhi.
“India gave us the MFN status in 1998 and the former PPP government had had agreements with it, and now it’s our responsibility to honour those agreements, we are not going to ink any new pact with India.”
PAKISTANI PRISONERS:
Pervaiz Rashid said it is the responsibility of government to make proper arrangements for the release of all Pakistani prisoners in the tribal areas including the sons of slain Punjab governor Salman Taseer and former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Addressing a book launching ceremony, Rashid said the list of women and children prisoners provided by the Taliban would be discussed with relevant institutions. He added that the government committee will gather information regarding the prisoners and then inform the Taliban and media.
MALAYSIAN AEROPLANE:
To a question about Malaysia’s missing jet, he said that “these are just speculations. How Malaysian plane can enter Pakistan’s airspace, this is out of question. Pakistan’s airspace is highly secured in which nothing unusual can occur… Boeing is not such a tiny object to be taken down and kept into the pocket.”
