Pakistan said Thursday that the Indian criticism on its institutions was baseless and those involved in the propaganda should first look into their own internal matters.
During her weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said negative reporting in connection with journalist Hamid Mir’s episode was done.
Commenting on the election process in Indian-held Kashmir she said the election could not be an alternative to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
She said cooperation between Iran and India regarding energy was their bilateral matter.
Replying to a question on Pakistan-Iran energy cooperation, particularly import of electricity, Aslam said international sanctions did not hurt that agreement as purchase of electricity from Iran was a government-to-government agreement.
She rejected the impression about termination of Pak-Iran gas pipeline project and said there were funding issues.
About sanctions on this project, she said building of extensive infrastructure and international financing took it to a category where international sanctions were applicable.
Responding to a question about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Iran, the spokesperson said it would take place before 15th of next month.
She said process of meetings between both the countries officials’ was in progress in order to make the visit substantial. She said visit of Iranian Foreign Minister was not on cards, while the interior minister would visit Pakistan soon.
About the visit of US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan James Dobbins, the spokesperson said he would be holding meetings with PM Nawaz, Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif.
She said the Pakistani Embassy in Washington had, during the past few months, extensively engaged Dobbins who was a US focal person.
Aslam said Dobbins would be sharing views with Pakistani leaders on matters of regional security, Afghanistan and bilateral ties.
