Pakistan opens doors for ‘traitor’ Kashmiri students

ISLAMABAD

The Foreign Office on Thursday regretted India’s decision to try under treason charges 67 Kashmiri students for celebrating Pakistan’s win against India in a cricket match, under treason charges.
FO spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam criticised the Indian move and offered that these students can take admissions in Pakistani universities.
The students are facing criminal charges and suspension from university because they cheered for India’s bitter cricket rivals Pakistan during their one day international in Bangladesh last Sunday.
She said hearts of Pakistanis and academic institutions were open for the expelled students.
Regarding meeting of Pakistan-India on LoC trade held in New Delhi‚ she said it was a constructive meeting. She said Pakistan demanded the release of the detained driver because without his release‚ the investigation into the allegations levelled against him could not move forward.
On Pakistan-China defence cooperation‚ she said, “China is our strategic partner and our cooperation in this sector should be seen in the context of regional situation.”
Referring to India as the largest arms buyer in the world‚ she said Pakistan does not want to indulge in arms race‚ adding, “We have to maintain the minimum level of symmetry for the sake of stability and peace in the region.”
On Pakistan-Saudi Arabia ties‚ she said Pakistan imparts training to Saudi armed forces personnel. She said Pakistan would be interested to sell its JF-17 Thunder‚ Mashak and other training aircraft to the kingdom. However‚ she said certain international guidelines and UN sanctions need to be followed in this regard.
To a question about Pakistan’s request to the UK government to hand over Baloch nationalist leader in exchange of two Pakistani citizens allegedly involved in Imran Farooq’s murder, she said how a country can seek exchange of Pakistanis against Pakistanis.
To a question regarding Afghanistan‚ the spokeswoman said Pakistan hoped that there would be no civil war after the withdrawal of foreign troops from that country.
She said in case of civil war‚ Pakistan would face repercussions. She said Pakistan was in contact with Afghan authorities on border securities and effective management of western border.
She reiterated Pakistan’s support for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation and peace process and said, “We want peace and stability in Afghanistan‚ and culmination of terrorism from the region.”
She said Pakistan believed that after the presidential elections in Afghanistan‚ national reconciliatory efforts will continue.
About remarks attributed to the prime minister that some foreign agencies‚ especially RAW‚ were involved in Islamabad tragedy‚ Tasnim termed such reports as incorrect.
To a question about Qatar’s relationship with neighboring countries, she said it was internal matter of Gulf countries and Pakistan did not want to commit on the situation.
She said China was a key strategic partner of Pakistan added that ties between two countries would be further strengthened.
On situation of Ukraine, she said the only solution of the crisis was negotiations and diplomacy.