ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday welcomed the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif aimed at normalisation of relations between the two countries for peace and development of the region. Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah told his weekly press briefing that Pakistan is committed to having good relations with all neighbours in the region but stressed the need for resolution of serious issues between Pakistan and India through dialogue. He described the Prime Minister's Modi telephonic call as welcoming, saying Pakistan welcomes all efforts to normalise bilateral relations with India.
"The peace in the region will benefit all the people; therefore, we welcome all such efforts for peace and prosperity of the region," he said, adding normalisation of relation with India was very important for regional peace. However, responding to a query about the response of Pakistan to the provocative statements by Indian leadership, the spokesperson said that Pakistan will take all appropriate and necessary steps to protect its national interest.
About the update on release of Pakistani fishermen as announced by Prime Minister Modi in his telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Sharif, he said that decision has been taken on both the sides to release fishermen in each other's custody, adding logistical arrangements are being finalised and the detained fishermen will be exchanged very soon as it takes a while to complete the process.
To another question about the terror network ISIL, the spokesperson said that Pakistan has already clarified that there is no footprint of the organisation in the country, even though Pakistan has time and again expressed concern over the group's activities. To another query about co-operation to fight against terrorism, he said Pakistan has been making sincere efforts in this regard and is already co-operating with the international community.
When asked whether US Secretary of State John Kerry's telephonic call to the Prime Minister was in the context of Pak-Russia increasing ties, the spokesperson asserted that bilateral relations of any two countries are always independent of any influence from any third country. "Russian Federation is an important country and Pakistan had adopted a policy of constructive engagement with all the countries in the region and recent engagement with Russian Federation is in that context," he added. He further said that there has been an upward trajectory in Pak-Russian bilateral relations and high-level contact had taken place between people on both sides.
About the report that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may meet his Indian counterpart on the eve of an upcoming security conference in Russia, the spokesperson did not confirm any meeting between the duo, saying that Pakistan will participate in the conference but the exact level of participation will be announced later.
On situation in Yemen, the spokesperson said Pakistan appreciates the efforts of the United Nations for starting Geneva talks to find a peaceful resolution to the Yemen conflict. He said Pakistan also supported the efforts of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) Foreign Ministers recently held in Jeddah where all the members of the OIC spoke for a peaceful solution of the Yemeni crisis.
He said Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz who represented Pakistan at the OIC Foreign Minister's extra-ordinary meeting, called upon the Muslim community to join hands to find a peaceful solution to the Yemeni crisis.
About the recent action by Pakistani security forces inside Afghan soil, the spokesperson confirmed the incident, saying that the action was taken at the request of the Afghan side. To another question, the spokesperson clarified that Iran has neither shown any concern pertaining to the polio related issues nor imposed any polio related restrictions on Pakistani visitors or pilgrims to the country.
Referring to the completion of one year of operation Zarb-e-Azb, the spokesperson said that Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to convey it heartiest felicitations to the Armed Forces of Pakistan on the completion of one year of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. It has achieved resounding success in eliminating terrorism, he added.
"The Ministry wishes to pay tribute to the martyrs and express profound gratitude to those families whose loved ones have laid down their lives while serving the nation and securing its future," he added. Since the inception of the Operation, he said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its missions abroad have been highlighting the operation as a manifestation of Pakistan's unflinching commitment to combating terrorism. "The international community is deeply appreciative of the sacrifices given by the people of Pakistan in this regard and the contribution made by them in making the world a safer and a better place," he added.
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