Patriot Report
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said Thursday that on Pakistan’s objection, a controversial list of terrorists was taken off the recently-held Heart of Asia (HoA) conference declaration, giving the country a major win at the diplomatic level.
In the weekly briefing, Dr Faisal elaborated that a controversial list of terrorists was incorporated in the official declaration of last year’s HoA conference held in Amritsar, which Pakistan allowed out of goodwill. However, the list was used by India for propaganda purposes against Pakistan, in order to defame the country, the spokesperson said.
Pakistan objected strongly to the said list, he said, and the list was subsequently taken off the declaration of the seventh ministerial HoA conference held in Baku, Azerbaijan earlier this month, in a major diplomatic victory for Pakistan.
Rejecting the United States’ allegations against Pakistan, Dr Faisal said that Pakistan has rendered countless sacrifices in the war against terrorism and taken indiscriminate action against terrorists.
“Pakistan rejects the unfounded accusations in US National Security Strategy that belie facts on ground and trivialize Pakistan’s efforts for fighting terrorism and our unmatched sacrifices to promote peace and stability in the region”, the spokesperson reiterated.
“The Afghan soil, despite substantial US presence, is being constantly used by elements hostile to Pakistan’s stability. Pakistan’s efforts and sincere proposals for effective border management to prevent cross border movement of militants and return of Afghan refugees are yet to make any headway. On the other hand, a malicious campaign is under-way to undo Pakistan’s achievements in the war against terrorism,’ he added.
He said that Pakistan continues to suffer at the hands of state sponsored terrorism, funded and abetted by neighboring countries through proxies. These proxies, consisting of individuals, organizations and intelligence agencies, are working against Pakistan at the behest of regional adversaries.
On the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan strongly supports the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) stance on Jerusalem and will vote on the matter in principle. To a question regarding voting in UN on Jerusalem issue, he said freedom has no price and Pakistan’s vote will be principled.
He said Pakistan believes the only solution to the Palestine problem is establishment of a viable, independent Palestinian state on the basis of internationally agreed parameters and pre 1967 border with Al Quds Sharif as its capital.
On the issuance of visas to the mother and wife of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, Dr Faisal said there has so far been no decision on the implementation of the spy’s death sentence. Jadhav’s meeting with his family is being arranged on humanitarian grounds, the spokesperson said, adding that the spy’s mother and wife will fly to Pakistan, they cannot be brought via road owing to security concerns. Dr Faisal added that the meeting between Jadhav and his family will be arranged at the Foreign Office amid strict security.
The spokesman said Pakistan has decided to release two hundred and ninety one Indian fishermen in two phases on humanitarian grounds. He said the fishermen will be released in the first phase on 29th of this month and on 8th of next month in the second phase. He reiterated Pakistan’s belief that humanitarian issues should be facilitated instead of being politicized.
Condemning the ongoing atrocities in Occupied Kashmir, the Spokesperson said the Indian authorities are trying to suppress Kashmiris struggle for freedom by inhuman torture and violating their right to assembly. He called upon the international community to take notice of illegal detention of Hurriyet leaders who are facing vandetta for their political beliefs.
Highlighting Pakistan’s role in reconstruction activities in Afghanistan, the Spokesperson said that Pakistan has established three tertiary care hospitals in three different cities of that country. He said Pakistan is also training medical staff and in pursuance of that process this year sixty nine Afghan a health professionals completed their training here.
To another question, Dr Muhammad Faisal said Pakistan is fully committed to the freedom and protection of rights of all minorities living here and they are proud Pakistanis having representation in all walks of life.