- Spokeswoman says peaceful and stable Afghanistan essential for peace and progress in Pakistan
The request for Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain’s passport has been sent to the Interior Ministry, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam Khan said on Thursday.
During her weekly briefing, Tasnim also mentioned that the Interior Ministry has yet to respond to the request. She also announced that as soon their response was received, the request will be forwarded to the Pakistan High Commission in Britain.
Last week, the MQM chief announced that he had applied for a Pakistani passport and a Pakistani identity card, adding that he could come to Pakistan any time.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Nazeer Hussain University in FB Area of Karachi via a signature telephonic address, Altaf had said, “Pakistan was my home, is my home and will always remain my home. I can come back to Pakistan any day.”
To a question, Tasnim confirmed that Pakistan did not have any extradition treaty with the UK neither did it have any arrangement for the exchange of sentenced persons.
PM’S UK VISIT:
Tasnim also revealed that the prime minister will be visiting the UK at the end of this month or early next month at the invitation of the British prime minister, adding that the visit will provide an opportunity to review progress on the enhanced strategic partnership.
Speaking about Pak-US Strategic Dialogue, she said that all groups under the strategic dialogue rubric had met, except the Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism Cooperation group.
She said the Working Group on Economy and Finance met recently when the finance minister visited Washington and discussed, among other things, energy projects, infrastructure and enhancement of bilateral trade.
AFGHANISTAN BORDER:
To a question about increased vigilance across the Pak-Afghan border for its better management, the FO spokesperson said that border management was the responsibility of both sides. Pakistan had more than 1,200 posts, undertook surveillance and was keen on introducing bio-metric systems on the border.
The spokesperson added that Pakistan had yet to see equally strong measures from the other side and from NATO and ISAF.
To another question about Abdullah becoming the next president of Afghanistan, the spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan did not support one party over the other and that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was essential for peace and progress in Pakistan. She said she disagreed with the view that any particular Afghan leader was against Pakistan.
