ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Thursday that Pakistan wants to resolve the lingering Kashmir dispute through dialogue and calls upon India to resume the dialogue process for resolution of all outstanding issues including the Kashmir dispute.
In a weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said that Pakistan, however, believes that third-party mediation can also be productive in this regard.
The spokesman said that Pakistan is focusing on establishing ceasefire on Line of Control (LoC) and in this regard‚ certain steps have been taken including communication between the two DGMOs through hotline and sectoral flag march.
Chaudhry said that Islamabad is committed in implementing decisions of prime ministers of both Pakistan and India – Nawaz Sharif and Manmohan Singh – recently made in their meeting in Washington.
Chaudhry further said that prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs and national security Sartaj Aziz will visit India on November 10 to attend Asia-Europe summit in New Delhi.
On drone attacks‚ the spokesperson said Islamabad has forcefully raised this issue at all international forums including with the United States. He maintained that these attacks amount to violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and international laws.
Responding to a question‚ the spokesman said that Pakistan released prominent Taliban Leader Mullah Bradar to facilitate the Afghan reconciliation process. He said Mulla Baradar is in Pakistan and is free to meet anyone.
When asked about Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project‚ the spokesperson said that Pakistan will pursue all the energy related projects including Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project in view of its growing energy requirements.
Regarding Dr Shakeel Afridi‚ Chaudhry said that his fate will be decided by Pakistani courts as currently he is facing legal process. He said Pakistan has been doing efforts to repatriate Dr Afia Siddiqi.
On the issue of tapping Pakistani phone calls‚ he said that Pakistan raised this issue with the United States in June and has been in touch with US authorities. He said that Pakistan believes this acts as illegal.
