'Restoration of Nato supply routes in Pakistan's interest'

Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani on Thursday said that restoration of Nato supply was in the interest of Pakistan. He observed that positive headway has been made in the ongoing talks between Pakistan and United States over tendering apology for attacking Salala Check post. In this respect, he referred to a recent statement given by the Pentagon.
He was speaking to media persons at Parliament House after attending a Public Accounts Committee meeting. To a question, he said he would be leaving for New Delhi for Foreign Secretaries' level talks on outstanding issues with India on July 3. While expressing concern on increasing firing incidents across LoC from Indian side on Pakistani soil, he said that he was leaving for New Delhi to take up the said issue along with other matters pertaining to regional security and Kashmir dispute with India at Foreign Secretaries' level talks. He negated the impression that the visit of Indian Minister for External Affairs to Pakistan was scheduled on July 18 was postponed as a result of LoC firing incidents. He said it had been postponed due to internal political developments of India as presidential election is scheduled on July 19.
Jalil said that Pakistan was engaged in dialogue with US on tendering apology over Salala Check post attack and positive developments have been made in this regard. "We are engaged in dialogue with US Administration following the guidelines given by Parliament", he promised.
He also added that Pakistan had serious concern over safe havens of terrorists in border areas of Afghan and had taken up the issue of cross border attacks on Pakistani security personnel with Afghan officials. "Afghan officials would take necessary measures to check militants' attacks on Pakistani security check posts, he expressed hope.
He apprised that Pakistani High Commissions in Australia and Indonesia had been directed for playing proactive role in gathering data about Pakistani nationals who had expired in boat sinking accident in Australia. To a question, he said that Prime Minister Pervez Ashraf was briefed at Foreign Office about Pakistan's relations with regional and other countries as well as Pakistani foreign policy. Replying to another question regarding postponed visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Moscow, Jilani said that the postponed visit was specific to a conference, but hopefully, Russian President Vladimir Putin would come to Pakistan to attend four nation summit scheduled to be held in September. "Four countries include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Russia" he added.
Secretary said that Pakistani delegation in Brazil conference took an active part despite dysfunctional Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim due to disqualification of former Prime Minister by the Supreme Court. Earlier, replying to various audit objections in PAC, Secretary informed the meeting that two separate inquiries were held in sales of Pakistani Embassies in Japan and Indonesia. He said the cases had also been referred to the NAB.