Balochistan: Pakistan will brook no interference: foreign office

Describing the resolution in the US House of Representatives on Balochistan as an arrogant move, Pakistan Friday declared in categorical terms that it would brook no external interference in its internal affairs, saying there was an evidence of foreign involvement to destabilise the province.
Responding to queries of reporters during weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said that Pakistan did not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and it also expected similar response from the international community. "Some forces have been trying to destabilise the situation in the province but there is no point in discussing these things publicly," he said without naming any country despite repeated questions pointing to Pakistan's earlier stance that India had a role in destabilising Balochistan. He, however, added that the government was cognisant of the issues and trying to handle all the issues politically.
Commenting on some Baloch separatist leaders' residing in the UK, he said that Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar during her recent visit to London raised the issue of anti-Pakistan activities in some countries. About the meeting between US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Foreign Minister Khar, the spokesman confirmed that besides other issues of mutual interest, the draft resolution on Balochistan moved in the US House of Representatives also came under discussion.
"Pakistan has made its position very clear. We would brook no interference in our internal affairs," he said, adding that this (resolution) betrayed arrogance and ignorance on the part of a few individuals. He, however, said that Islamabad was confident that this "ill-advised and ill-considered" move by a few individuals would not gain any traction and would be rejected by an overwhelming majority.
He said US Congressional delegation, which called on the Prime Minister Thursday, reaffirmed that the tabling of a resolution was an act by a few individuals and "cannot represent the will of the Congress." He further said the meeting between Foreign Minister Khar and Secretary Clinton was positive and constructive from Islamabad's perspective. About the Pak-US relations, he said that ties between the two countries were important and that efforts were under way to make these relations transparent and predictable. "I think they (Washington) understand and appreciate our position. We expect the parliamentary process to complete soon, in any case sometime during the first half of March 2012," he said.
To a question regarding expected visits of Marc Grossman and General James Mattis to Pakistan, the spokesman said that Islamabad expected all these visits following the completion of a parliamentary process. To another question about US concerns over Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, the spokesman reiterated Islamabad's commitment to the completion of the project by 2014. "They (US authorities) have their own concerns and their own position in the context of their national sanctions imposed on Iran. We have our own interests and our own position," he added.
The spokesman who expressed ignorance on reports that Secretary Clinton had informed Foreign Minister Khar about the commencement of drone strikes in Pakistan rather added that Islamabad was very clear on drone strikes. "We believe that drone strikes are unlawful and unacceptable and these strikes hamper our counter-terrorism efforts and realisation of shared objectives," he added.
To yet another question, Basit said that Islamabad had not yet taken any decision to raise the issue of drone attacks in the UN, adding that Pakistan had been raising the matter with the US bilaterally. About opening of US consulate in Quetta, he said that nothing of this sort was under consideration at present. He, however, added that as and when a decision was taken in this regard, it would be purely on merit by Pakistan itself.
To a query regarding desecration of the Holy Quran at Bagram base in Afghanistan, he on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan condemned desecration of the Holy Quran in strongest possible terms. He said that the US had apologised at the highest level and assured of a full enquiry. "This is absolutely important that such utterly irresponsible and reprehensible acts do not recur," he added. To a question regarding arrest of former President General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) through Interpol, Basit said that he was not privy to any such move.