Pakistan has termed foreign media report as totally baseless regarding claims attributed to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan that North Korea's government paid more than $3.5 million to two senior Pakistani military officials in exchange for critical weapons technology in the late 90s.
"It is totally baseless and preposterous," said Foreign Office spokesperson Tahmina Janjua during weekly briefing here on Thursday. The media report, however, claimed that Abdul Qadeer Khan has given documents to Simon Henderson of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, an authority on Pakistan's weapons programme, who alleged that North Korean officials paid kickbacks to Pakistani military top brass in exchange for critical weapons technology.
Janjua admitted problems in Pak-US ties in the past but said the relations between the two countries were on track and the two sides were trying to remove hurdles through dialogue and discussions.
She said Pakistan and the US were making efforts to recommence work on the strategic dialogue process and a meeting of the working group on law enforcement and counter terrorism was held in Islamabad two days ago. She said there was recognition in the US administration about importance of relationship with Pakistan. So instead of commenting on negatives, we intend to focus on the positives in the relationship and the positives are many, she added.
When asked to comment on the reluctance of the US to vacate the Shamsi Air base, she declined to comment saying she needs not further elaborate on an issue that has been addressed comprehensively by the Prime Minister. She said the Prime Minister had already commented on the matter that the US was never given access to Shamsi Air base for carrying out drone attacks. Access was given for surveillance purposes, by the previous government; and the matter of Washington's control over the base has been raised at the highest level with the US government.
Commenting on the continued cross-border attacks with Afghanistan, the spokesperson blamed militants for the attacks saying this common concern is being addressed both by Pakistan and Afghanistan along with Isaf. "This situation is being created by militants causing loss of human life and damage to property in Pakistan as well as in border regions of Afghanistan," Janjua said. She pointed out that Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday took up the issue with Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressing serious concern over the situation.
Responding to a query, she said Pakistan has categorically stated that it would support and facilitate the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process in that country, adding that Pakistan is supporting the process because it is in its national interests to have peace and stability in Afghanistan.
She said that there was two-tier mechanism to support peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan involving Pakistan and the US and Afghanistan and next meetings of these groups would be held in Islamabad for which dates are being discussed.
Referring to recent trilateral meeting of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran in Tehran, she said the three expressed commitment to peace, stability and regional co-operation. She said the next trilateral meeting as agreed in the joint statement will be held in Islamabad and the fourth meeting will be held in Kabul.
To another query, she said Pak-Afghan relations have undergone a sea change, adding that since 2008, Pakistan has adopted a number of documents/declarations at the leadership level, in 2009, 2010 and 2011 that provide a roadmap for relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are committed to a relationship, which is based on the fact that they are close neighbours, that they have immense linkages and that the people of the two countries want peace, stability and development in the region, she added.
About the engagements with India, Janjua said joint working group of Pakistan and India on Cross-LoC CBMs would meet in New Delhi on 18th of this month, adding that Director General South Asia of Foreign Office would lead Pakistan's delegation at the meeting.
Referring to Pak-India foreign minister level talks to be held in New Delhi, she said Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar would lead Pakistan side at the talks, adding that dates for the Pak-India ministerial meeting will be preceded by the meeting between the two foreign secretaries to prepare for the ministerial level talks, are being finalised.
"We want a substantive constructive, open dialogue with India - a result-oriented dialogue on all issues. And that has been our point of view throughout the dialogue process resumed earlier this year," she added.
Responding to a question regarding investigation into the killing of a journalist Saleem Shahzad, the spokesmen declined to comment, saying "I don't want to comment on the matter as it's not my domain." Referring to recent visit of the President to UK, she said President Zardari had held good meetings with Prime Minster David Cameron and senior British cabinet ministers and other dignitaries. "Pakistan values its relations with the United Kingdom and the visit provided an opportunity to discuss all matters of mutual interest," she added.
About the President's visit to Iran, she said President Zardari called on the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and also had good meetings with President Ahmadinejad. "Iran is an important neighbour of Pakistan. The President's visit has contributed to the enhancement of bilateral co-operation," Janjua added.
She said Pakistan appreciates the efforts of Bahrain's Sheikh Hamad bin Essa Al-Khalifa for launching the National Consensus Dialogue. "We attach importance to our close fraternal relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain. We wish the brotherly people of Bahrain, prosperity and peace," she added.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.