China lauds Pakistan’s contribution in fight against terrorism

• FO says Pakistan, Afghanistan have agreed to take actions against fugitives

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday said that China has appreciated Pakistan’s contribution in fighting terrorism and has also commended Pakistan’s relentless efforts for working towards a peaceful neighbourhood.

Addressing the weekly news briefing, through a video link from Beijing, in Islamabad, FO Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said that the commendation was expressed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of Boao Forum in Sanya, China.

The spokesperson said that the Chinese president also termed Pakistan as the pillar for regional peace and stability. He added that the two sides exchanged comprehensive in-depth views on enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Dr Faisal further informed that Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to take strict actions against fugitives that are wanted by both the countries. He added that in the course of PM Abbasi’s recent visit to Afghanistan, both the countries agreed to operationalise the working groups under Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS).

The spokesperson also said that Pakistan has always supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process, which is also of utmost importance for the regional stability. He added that both the countries have also committed to denying the use of their respective territory by any other country, network, group or individuals for anti-state activities against either country.

He said that the Afghan leadership appreciated the prime minister’s announcement to waive additional regulatory duty on Afghan exports to Pakistan and the gift of 40,000 tonnes of wheat Afghan brethren.

“Overall, it was a substantive and successful visit,” the spokesperson added.

Replying to a question regarding US embassy’s vehicle being used in an accident in which a Pakistani citizen lost his life, the FO spokesperson said that the matter was under investigation.

He said that Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed across Pakistan last week to express solidarity with Kashmiri brothers and sisters.

Replying to another question, Dr Faisal said that Pakistan never halted the dialogue process and it had been stopped by the Indian attitude. “Pakistan is always ready to participate in bilateral dialogues at any forum including SAARC,” he added.

He said that Indian forces were continuously targeting civilian populated areas with heavy weapons along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary. “In 2018 alone, the Indian forces have carried out more than 900 ceasefire violations, resulting in the martyrdom of 21 innocent civilians while injuring 90 others,” he informed.

“Silence of the Indian government and failure to acknowledge, let alone accept, the failure of the heinous Indian atrocities to suppress the valiant Kashmiris indicates its stark dissociation from reality,” Dr Faisal said.