–FO spokesman says Islamabad upholds Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations
–Says Pakistan will continue to strive for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday rejected harassment allegations by Indian diplomats in Islamabad on December 21 reported by an Indian publication Daily News and Analysis (DNA).
Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal in his weekly press briefing said that “Pakistan upholds the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations and has always strived to facilitate Indian High Commission operations”.
Having said that the FO spokesman also rejected allegations of “meddling in Bangladesh’s elections”.
According to an FO statement, “The government particularly focused on strengthening ties with neighbouring India,” adding that “efforts to restore peace with India were made by reopening the Kartarpur Corridor”.
Following this, the spokesperson also stated that “the Indian officials visiting Pakistan for the ceremony was a sign of improved relations”.
Dr Faisal also noted that Pakistan is in contact with India for the repatriation of Pakistani prisoners incarcerated in Indian prisons. Moreover, of the 45 Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences, 12 are civilians while the other 33 are fishermen. There are a total of 341 Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.
“Our mission is in contact with all relevant Indian authorities for repatriation of these prisoners. Our High Commission in New Delhi also engages with the Indian media to highlight the plight of Pakistani prisoners,” the spokesperson said.
Pakistan has also hired a law firm to assist and facilitate their repatriation, he added.
To another question, Dr Faisal strongly condemned the ongoing brutalities by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir and called on the international community to urge India to immediately halt its atrocities in the held valley.
The spokesperson said the Kashmir issue remains at top of Pakistan’s list of priorities, and the country will continue to expose the true Indian face in occupied Kashmir at all international forums.
Dr Faisal further said Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role for promoting peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, in a bid to bring lasting peace and stability to the region.
In addition, Dr Faisal said, “Prime Minister Imran Khan made successful tours to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and China. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also toured several countries, including Afghanistan, to improve bilateral relations and trade.”
He further said that Qureshi has paid a very successful visit to Kabul, Tehran, Beijing and Moscow and it would help generate consensus among all the stakeholders to advance the peace process in Afghanistan.
He said, “The visit was essentially part of the government’s policy to strengthen relations with all neighbours and regional countries.”
The spokesperson said Pakistan’s longstanding position to give peace and reconciliation a real chance in Afghanistan has become the basis for an international consensus.
Dr Faisal said, “The new opening in Afghanistan and willingness of all countries who agree on Pakistan’s important role as facilitator, has provided a significant opportunity to also strengthen our bilateral relations with all the neighbours especially for the promotion of trade, economic and people to people linkages.”
He said as part of the same effort the Foreign Minister will also visit Qatar soon. He further stated that the PM also took steps to sustain ties with Iran as well.
According to the report on DNA, it stated that “the Indian Diplomats, a High Commission team was harassed in Peshawar on 21 December as they were returning from Qissa Khwani Bazar and nearby places to the hotel when their vehicle was stopped by two agency officials who were following them on a motorbike”.
“The Indian delegation was stopped and questioned for almost 30 minutes on the main road while the Indian officials requested them that they could collect information about the visit once they reach the hotel, however, the agency officials did not allow them to proceed,” it added.
Earlier, on December 4, PM Imran performed the groundbreaking of the 4km-long corridor which connects Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur area of Narowal district with Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur District.
The proposal to construct the corridor was renewed by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in August this year.
