Pakistan voices concerns over Indian missile test

• FO says India’s missile test demonstrates its duplicity, callousness towards regional stability
• Says Pakistan, US engaging in constructive dialogues to find a common ground acceptable to both parties
• Says Pakistan seeks probe into use of alleged chemical weapons in held-Kashmir 

ISLAMABAD: Voicing concerns over Indian missile test, Pakistan on Thursday said Indian test of indigenous nuclear-capable cruise missile was yet another manifestation of its dual standards.

“India’s missile test, despite being the member of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), clearly demonstrates its duplicity and callousness towards regional stability,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said in his weekly press briefing here.

Dr Faisal said that Pakistan had been constantly raising serious concerns regarding the matter. “Our proposal for a peaceful and stable region remains on the table”, he added.

To a question, the spokesperson said that Pakistan had also expressed deep concern over the reported launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea. “Such launches constituted violation of the UN Security Council resolutions. Also, these steps undermined the goals of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula,” he reiterated.

The FO urged all relevant parties to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy to reduce tensions and work towards achieving a comprehensive solution to maintain peace and stability in the Korean peninsula.

Dr Faisal, in reply to another query, said Pakistan had serious concerns over the cultivation and spreading of opium and drug production in Afghanistan. “Afghan authorities must take serious steps to tackle this menace,” he added.

Regarding US’s South Asian policy, he said that Pakistan and the US were engaging in constructive dialogues to find a common ground that was acceptable to both the parties.

Spokesperson Faisal said the member countries from Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) would cooperate with each other through joint exercises and media campaigns to combat terrorism.

About the 57 Pakistanis who were abducted by human traffickers in Turkey, the spokesperson said, “All the detainees have been recovered and Pakistani consulate is constantly in touch with Turkish authorities for their safe return.”

To another query, the spokesperson said the Indian occupation forces in Kupwara, Bandipore, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Islamabad districts of Indian Occupied Kashmir, continued to terrorise the innocent Kashmiri people by illegal house searches at all times. “Pakistan condemns and calls upon the world human rights defenders to stand up for Kashmiris in IOK,” he added.

Dr Faisal further said that Pakistan called for an independent investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in Indian-held Kashmir.

“We have noted with serious concern the media reports [relating to the use of chemical weapons],” he said, in reply to question if Pakistan planned to raise at the international fora the use of chemical weapons by Indian forces, causing “deaths of many”.

“Should these reports find credence, this use [of weapons] would constitute a breach of Indian international obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.”

The spokesperson noted that Indian policy of denying access to any independent observers raised legitimate concerns. “We call for independent investigations into such reports, including through Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Faisal added.

“Pakistan’s election to the UNESCO bodies demonstrates not only the strong credentials that Pakistan enjoys within the multilateral arena but is a reflection of the confidence of the international community in Pakistan’s constructive leadership role within UNESCO,” he said.

The Foreign Office also condemned the heinous terrorist attack against innocent worshipers at Al Rawdah Mosque in North Sinai region of Egypt that resulted in 305 deaths.