- Foreign secretary calls for end to military activities along LoC
- Says Pakistan would play its role in facilitating intra-Afghan dialogue in Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process
Despite India’s hostile attitude, Pakistan desires good relations with the neighbouring country that are guided by the spirit of cooperation and not confrontation, said Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry on Monday, while answering media queries about the continued ceasefire violations.
“We hope that the Indian leadership would realise that it is in the larger interest of South Asia that peace should prevail between the two countries and our relations are guided by the spirit of cooperation and not confrontation.” averred Chaudhry who was briefing reporters on the daylong activities of Prime Minister Sharif at the United Nations.
The foreign secretary voiced deep concern over the ceasefire violations, and called for an end to military activities along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region.
Pakistan, he said, believed that the struggle in Kashmir was indigenous, with the people of the occupied Kashmir struggling for their right of self-determination.
In reply to a question about the aggressive Indian attitude and a chance of resumption of the dialogue, the foreign secretary said, “One should always remain optimistic, because the overarching objective is to have good relations with India. Pakistan remains steadfast in this objective, but it needs two hands to clap.”
He further said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had always and consistently maintained that Pakistan wanted good relations with India.
To another query about a wave of unrest in the Indian-held Kashmir, the foreign secretary said, “We believe that the Kashmir issue needs to be resolved in accordance with the UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiris.”
About Pakistan’s ties with Afghanistan, Chaudhry said Islamabad desired peace and stability in Afghanistan and would like the Taliban to be part of the peace process and not of violence or insurgency.
Whenever the Afghan factions desired, Pakistan would play its role in facilitating the intra-Afghan dialogue in the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process, he said, adding, the Pakistani leadership had always supported the peace and reconciliation process and would continue to play its part.
To another question, he said no date had yet been finalised for another round of talks.
Asked about the meeting of Afghan foreign minister with National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz earlier in the day, Chaudhry said the two sides needed to have good relations as with closer cooperation they could make rapid progress.
The foreign secretary, to another query, said Pakistan did not have any control over the Taliban and it sincerely desired that “peace returns to Afghanistan”. Pakistan could try to use its influence to bring the Afghan Taliban back to the negotiation table, he added.
He said following Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s visit to Pakistan there was a considerable improvement in the ties. “We want to see an environment of peace in Afghanistan,” added the foreign secretary.
