Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said Thursday Pakistan has not yet launched an appeal for foreign assistance for flood relief.
Addressing a weekly press briefing, Aslam said the country’s foreign missions have been asked to open an account – the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2014. “These accounts would be accepting funds from Pakistanis and international sources,” she added.
Further, the FO spokesperson stressed the importance of dialogue between Pakistan and India on water disputes.
“Yes, water issues are very important, needing discussions between Pakistan and India. We have the Indus Waters Treaty according to which water is distributed between the two countries. As the lower riparian, we have certain rights,” she said.
Commenting on the exchange of letters between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, Aslam said, “The prime minister in his response to the Indian prime minister’s letter underlined the need for cooperation in not only facing the natural calamities, but also the underlying issues that impact our climate and environment.”
She reiterated Pakistan’s continued commitment to fight militants. “Pakistan is fighting against terrorism in all its manifestations and our armed forces have been taking action against this menace without any discrimination.”
Referring to reports about a Pakistani Golf team rescued by the Indian Army in Srinagar, Aslam said, “We first came to know about the golfers when they contacted the High Commission in New Delhi that they were stranded.”
“They are still there and are safe. They are in contact with our High Commission and will be evacuated as soon as the means of transportation are available,” she added.
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