Aizaz Chaudhry says India should revive dialogue since it cancelled foreign secy level talks unilaterally
Regarding prospects of a meeting between senior Pakistani and Indian officials who are in New York for the UN General Assembly session, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry on Friday said that “if Indians are interested in a meeting, we expect them to approach us”.
“The onus is on India since it cancelled the foreign secretary level talks which were scheduled to be held in Islamabad last month in a resumption of the peace dialogue.”
Pakistan desires peaceful relations in South Asia but after unilateral cancellation of Pakistan-India talks, the ball is now in New Delhi’s court for revival of the peace process, Chaudhry said. He said the officials from the two countries have not had any meeting during a Commonwealth foreign ministers conference.
Responding to a question, he said Pakistan has a longstanding policy to engage Kashmiri leaders as part of its consultation process. He said the Kashmir issue cannot just be wished away.
Chaudhry, who is part of the delegation headed by Nawaz, said Pakistan is not part of the international coalition being cobbled to fight Islamic State of Iraq and Syria militants. He said Islamabad has no confirmation that any Pakistani is fighting alongside ISIS militants in Iraq or Syria.
The foreign secretary explained that Islamabad’s hands are full as it is waging Zarb-e-Azb against militants in North Waziristan.
In response to a question, Aizaz Chaudhry noted that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s participation in the UN General Assembly is not only an opportunity to spell out Islamabad’s views on key international issues but it also emanates an important message that Islamabad is moving forward with its agenda of economic progress and peaceful relations.
He also emphasised the point that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s articulation of his economic agenda and foreign policy approach in his address to the large UN gathering of world leaders will be the highest level point of reference and a strong statement of Islamabad’s position on wide-ranging issues.
Besides, he said, Prime Minister Nawaz is having bilateral meetings with world leaders including US Vice President Joseph Biden on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Aizaz made it clear that Pakistan is not fighting militants in North Waziristan to satisfy any foreign power but to ensure peace, security and stability on its soil.
“There is no place for terrorists in Pakistan”, he said, when questioned about a UN Security resolution that asks nations to take concrete measures to stem the flow of terrorists, and added that Islamabad is already pursuing a range of steps to curb the menace of terrorism.
Replying to another question, the foreign secretary said Pakistan has made urgent efforts to repatriate stranded Pakistan from violence-hit Libya, and will continue to bring back the remaining citizens.
