–FO says Pakistan not reviewing CPEC agreements
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Dr Faisal Thursday said that the FO has taken “strong exception to the unwarranted reference against Pakistan” in the joint statement issued by 2+2 India-US dialogue between the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Secretary of Defense James Mattis with their Indian counterparts in New Delhi.
Addressing the weekly news briefing, Dr Faisal said Pakistan rejects the “baseless allegations”, adding that Pakistan has also conveyed its position to the US side.
The India-US joint statement issued after the talks had called upon Pakistan to ensure its territory isn’t used to launch terror attacks on other countries.
The spokesperson said that mentioning of a third country with unsubstantiated accusations in a formal outcome document is inconsistent with the established diplomatic norms. “What is more ironic is that many other thorny issues involving the third country were avoided in the joint statement by the Indian side,” he added.
Dr Faisal said that Mumbai trial is on-going in an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan, adding that the judicial process shall take its course. He asked the US side to also focus similarly if not more on the Indian state terrorism and the resulting humanitarian emergency in Indian occupied Kashmir.
The spokesperson expressed surprise that there was no mention in the joint statement of the continued ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along the line of control and the working boundary which poses a grave threat to regional peace and security.
“Foreign journalists are prevented from reporting on the situation in IoK. The recent suspension of Al Jazeera is just a case in point,” he maintained.
The spokesman said that after the brutal murder of Shujaat Bokhari, Indian forces have arrested Kashmiri journalist Atif Asif Sultan on trumped up charges, exposing the truth behind Indian claims of being the so-called biggest democracy and its commitment to freedom of expression and the press.
To a question about a recent statement by Indian high commissioner to Pakistan, while addressing a gathering in Calcutta, that the new government in Pakistan has opened a political window for India and filled India with certain hopes, the spokesman said Pakistan had noted the statement of India high commissioner.
Dr Muhammad Faisal said that Pakistan is always ready for talks with India for resolution of all outstanding disputes. He confirmed both the countries are in contact with each other through track-two diplomacy.
The spokesman said, “We have a consistent position on this. If you see the recent overtures, Prime Minister Modi called our prime minister and our foreign minister also received a letter from his Indian counterpart. We want to utilize the same window and see how we can move forward.”
To another question, he said that Secretary Pompeo’s visit to Islamabad last week was welcomed by Pakistan which offered an opportunity for both sides to have a very frank and candid conversation.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has been invited to Washington DC by the US secretary of state, he said and added that the continuation of engagement at the leadership level was important to take the relationship forward.
Dr Faisal further rejected a report that claimed Pakistan is mulling to negotiate the terms of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
During the weekly briefing to media, Dr Faisal said, “In addition to completely rejecting reports of Pakistan’s plans to review CPEC agreements, the government also rejects any impressions of the same.”
“Pakistan is not mulling over reviewing the CPEC trade agreements,” he added.
Earlier, London-based Financial Times had published a report claiming that Pakistan is reviewing its trade agreements with China under CPEC, a key part of Beijing’s ambitious Belt and Road project.
Soon after the report was published, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood rejected the claims.
While talking about ties with Afghanistan, Dr Faisal said, “Pakistan believes a solution to the Afghan issue can only be found by the people of Afghanistan.”
He further noted that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s first foreign visit is to Afghanistan on Saturday, where he will exchange views on Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS). He further said that Pakistan has closed its consulate in Jalalabad due to security concerns. “The matter has been taken up with the Afghan officials who have assured to address the concerns.”
To a question, the spokesperson said Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit Saudi Arabia but dates will be announced later.
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