Foreign Office on Thursday said that none of Pakistani missions in United Kingdom had received any visa application so far from the American businessman, Mansoor Ijaz, the main character in 'memogate' controversy.
Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit while responding queries of media persons during a weekly press briefing confirmed that no foreign mission in UK including London has so far received any visa application from Mansoor Ijaz, who is scheduled to appear on Monday before the memo commission.
The commission, tasked by Supreme Court to ascertain facts behind the memo controversy, had earlier directed the government to issue instructions to foreign missions for issuance of visa to Ijaz. The spokesman termed Tuesday's US drone attack in North Waziristan as violation of Pakistan's sovereignty. He said the attack could not be condoned, saying that Islamabad's position on drone strikes was very clear.
"We are of the view that strategic disadvantages outweigh tactical advantages of drone strikes. Winning hearts and minds is crucial to win violent extremism and this cannot happen if the collateral damage by drone attacks continues," he added. When asked as to why Islamabad was not strongly condemning the drone strikes, he said, "At this stage we would not like to go beyond what we have been saying about this particular issue". He further said that currently Parliamentary Committee of National Security was reviewing the entire gambit of engagement with the US.
To another query, the Spokesman said that Pakistan's New Ambassador to Washington Sherry Rehman called on US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and discussed the present state of Pak-US relations with her. He said that it was a courtesy call by the ambassador-designate, adding that she apprised Secretary Clinton of the parliamentary process underway to review the terms of engagements with the US/Nato/ ISAF. He further said that she would be presenting her Letter of Credence to President Obama shortly.
The spokesman expressed reluctance to comment on the rumours about a possible military coup, saying he would refrain from answering questions based on conjectures. To a question, the foreign office spokesperson ruled out recognition of Israel. He said, "we do not have any relations with the Jewish state and the matter to recognise it was not under consideration."
About the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, the spokesperson said a decision in principle has already been taken to enhance trade ties with New Delhi. At present, he said that the ministry of commerce was engaged in consultations with all the stakeholders for improved trade ties with India.
He also made it clear that Islamabad was not backtracking on the matter and the whole process will be completed by October this year. Responding to another query about the visit of a British delegation to Islamabad, he said that both the countries wanted to enhance strategic dialogue for promotion of trade and economic ties. Both the sides wanted to enhance trade to 2.5 billion pounds by 2015, he added.
He said the visit of the delegation has nothing to do with the current political situation of the country, adding that the visit was planned a month ago and it is taking place within the framework of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue between Pakistan and the UK. "Lord Green, Minister of Trade and Investment, is visiting specifically with this objective. This visit was planned much in advance," he added.
About the recent tension between US and Iran, the spokesman expressed the confidence that both the sides would resolve their matters peacefully through dialogue. "We hope the situation will not be allowed to exacerbate as the region can not afford another conflict in the present environment," he added.
At the same time, he said, Islamabad also respects Tehran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, adding that it was important that all countries should respect international obligations. About the opening of the Taliban office in Qatar to initiate a dialogue with the US, the spokesman declined to comment, saying that there was no change in Islamabad's position on reconciliation in Afghanistan. To another questions about President Zardari's visit to Dubai, he said that the President was travelling but he expressed ignorance of the exact details of his return to the country.
Regarding Pakistani prisoners languishing in Saudi Jails, the spokesman said Pakistan missions in Saudi Arab have made vigorous efforts for the release of Pakistani prisoners. He, however, said that there were issues of domestic rules and regulations.
About the boat carrying over 215 asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Turkey, which capsized near East Java, Indonesia, on December 18, 2011, he said that the passengers included 50-60 Pakistanis. So far 103 bodies have been recovered and the rescuers managed to save 47 foreign nationals including 7 Pakistanis.
He said that Pakistan's embassy in Jakarta was in close touch with local authorities both in Jakarta and Surabaya and was trying to identify the dead bodies of Pakistani nationals. To facilitate the process, he said that a Nadra expert was already in Indonesia and the dead bodies were severally decomposed and identification of these bodies was very difficult. He further said that Pakistan Embassy in Jakarta has, therefore, requested the Indonesian authorities to extend the deadline for burial of unidentified bodies ie January 20, 2012 by two weeks.
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