- PM’s adviser says Pakistan will share its concerns with international community about threats to regional peace, stability
- Says Pakistan has right to maintain minimum nuclear deterrence to defend itself
- Pakistan will convey its concerns to the US over the latest issues in the bilateral ties
Pakistan has expressed concern over growing Indo-US defence relations, saying it will disturb strategic and conventional balance of power in South Asia.
This was stated by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz while briefing newsmen about achievements of the government in the realm of foreign affairs during the last three years.
He said the national security is a continuing challenge for Pakistan.
Aziz said the United States approaches Pakistan whenever it needs it, and abandons it when it doesn’t need Pakistan.
“Pakistan will convey its concerns to the US over the latest issues in the bilateral ties,” Aziz said, adding that a high-level meeting is planned between Pakistan and US officials on June 10 in Islamabad.
“We firmly conveyed it to the US that maintaining effective nuclear deterrence is critical for Pakistan’s security and only Pakistan itself can determine how it should respond to growing strategic imbalance in South Asia,” he said.
The adviser said Pakistan has decided to take up the issue of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian spy who was arrested from Balochistan, with the United Nations and other international forums.
He said the statement made by the director general of India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) that no evidence linked Pakistan to the Pathankot attack has vindicated Pakistan’s position in attack probe.
The developing Indo-US relationship is seen as a foreign policy success for the Obama administration. Washington views India as an important part of its rebalance to Asia and as a counterweight to China.
Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan will share its concerns with the international community about threats to regional peace and stability, adding that Pakistan has the right to maintain minimum nuclear deterrence to defend itself in the given situation.
The adviser said dialogue is the only way to solution of all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India. “Pakistan still believes that through dialogue all outstanding issues, including terrorism, can be addressed,” he said, adding that Pakistan extended full cooperation to India in the investigation of Pathankot airbase attack.
Aziz said Pakistan always facilitated Afghan-led peace process for the restoration of peace in that country.
The adviser said “the recent drone attack in which Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed, has breached our sovereignty, caused a serious setback to the peace efforts and intensified hostilities in Afghanistan”.
According to Aziz, the most important diplomatic achievement during the last three years has been path breaking transformation in Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China. He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor involving Chinese investment of $ 46 billion was manifestation of that partnership.
Aziz said other achievements included increased cooperation with Central Asia Republic, obtaining of full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, creation of Quadrilateral Coordination Group to facilitate Afghan peace process, continuation of efforts for solving all issues including Kashmir with India through dialogue, resumption of strategic dialogue with the United States and improvement of relations with the Muslim world, European Union and Russia.
The adviser said that Pakistan played an active role in the international forums and won 17 elections out of 18 in the international organisations.
Referring to future challenges, Aziz on foreign affairs said the government had taken all necessary steps to meet emerging security challenges, maintain political stability and strengthen economic gains.
Its a dream that will never come true. Chemistry of two countries is too different. Pakistan has nothing to gain except wasting resources & time. 70 years to history proves it. Stop wasting time on India. Once an enemy is always an enemy.
3 wars (1948, 1965, 2001) were instigated by Pakistan- and you will admit it. 1971 was provoked due to our supporting Bangladesh’s independence, but you attacked us without any provocation from us. How do you expect us to EVER be friends with you?
Pakistan is willing to have cardial relations with India, but is India ready and willing to accept and resopond with reciprocal cardiality? While Pakistan is making all the right moves for a cardial relationship, India consistently opposes Pakistan in each and every way possible. Nawaz Shari's policy is to deliberately pender to India just to undermine the army, to give it a bad name internationally, even if it means sever undermining of national interest. Pakistan's democracy is a cotery street urchins and thugs, if the people do not wake up pretty soon, they will have no country, or a country which will be no more than an subservient Indial vessal state.
Riaz, but Pakistan is almost being aVassal state to China, after being that of America for last 40 years. You might call Chinese friends, but just like in real world, friendship is among equals. You are right about democracy in Pakistan, it will take a few decades for it mature. But don’t loose faith in it. Your country is passing through some tough times…
If Pak refuses to try Pathankot attackers, they must be prosecuted at the Hague: Edward Royce
Sartaj Aziz instead of showing concern should suggest PM to appoint a capable FM asap and he should step down as Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs. The national foreign policy is total disaster.
Comments are closed.