–FO spokesman says Pakistan believes in Quaid-e-Azam’s principle of peaceful ties
–Pakistan condemns use of chemical weapons in occupied Kashmir valley
–Slams Indian army chief’s ‘surgical strike statement’
–Pakistan and China on same page over CPEC strategy
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday said that Pakistan will not discuss any matter with India, including the reopening of the Kartarpur border issue, if talks are not held between the two countries.
Addressing his weekly press briefing, FO Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said, “Pakistan believes in Quaid-e-Azam’s principle of peaceful ties with neighbours and has made efforts to convince India to hold talks.”
The FO spokesperson, however, also stated that the first initiative was, in fact, taken by India after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Furthermore, while discussing Indian aggression in Occupied Kashmir, Dr Faisal said, “The neighbouring country is using chemical weapons in the occupied territory and we strongly condemn it. We want to resolve the Kashmir issue as per the wishes of the Kashmiri people.”
Moreover, he also remarked that Pakistan will present a strong case against Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“Pakistan will not compromise on matters pertaining to national interest,” Dr Faisal reiterated.
The FO spokesperson also confirmed that a meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and US President Donald Trump had taken place and a positive exchange of views took place between them.
Further, FM Qureshi also met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his visit to the country, who praised Pakistan’s role in promoting peace in Afghanistan.
On Shakil Afridi’s issue, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan’s stance remains unchanged.
In response to a journalist’s question, Dr Faisal said the US should hold dialogue with the Taliban.
“We will hope that the negotiations are fruitful,” he said.
“We don’t want a single country to be held responsible for establishing peace in Afghanistan. All countries should play their part in this effort,” the FO spokesperson said.
The foreign office also confirmed that Qureshi met with the World Bank president. In the meeting, the foreign minister discussed the Indus Waters Treaty and the disputed Kishanganga Dam issue.
Responding to a question about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plan, Dr Faisal said Pakistan and China are on the same page on the matter.
“The Planning Commission can better respond to questions pertaining to Saudi Arabia’s inclusion in the CPEC plan,” he added.
Slamming Indian Army chief Bipin Rawat’s statement of conducting “surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC)”, he said that the chief of a professional army should refrain from making such controversial claims.
