Pakistan to raise drone attacks issue with John Kerry

Pakistan said on Friday that the issue of the U.S. drone attacks will be raised with the US Secretary of State John Kerry, who will visit Pakistan later this month, the Foreign Ministry said Friday.

Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary said at his weekly briefing that exact dates and agenda of the visit are being finalized by the two countries.

 To another question he said the US drone strikes constitute breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty, violation of international law and human rights besides being counter-productive to the fight against terror.

“The issue has been taken up with the United States and it would also be taken up again in forthcoming contacts with the United States.”

 EGYPT CRISIS: About coup in Egypt, the spokesman said Pakistan has been following events in Egypt and hoped that Egyptians would deal with the situation in a democratic manner. He said Pakistan is following a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs other countries but it stresses the values of democracy and aspirations of the people that should always be upheld.

PAK-AFGHAN BLAME GAME: Asked to comment on Afghan Army Chief’s statement accusing Pakistan of controlling Taliban, the spokesman said Pakistan is sincere in its efforts to see peace and stability in Afghanistan. 

“The best route to achieve peace and stability is robust reconciliation process for which Pakistan is willing to extend every possible help.” He hoped that sincerity of Pakistan will be appreciated and reciprocated and negative statements avoided.

TRACK-II DIPLOMACY: The spokesman said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has sent a former senior diplomat to India as part of the track-II diplomacy. He said former Foreign Secretary Shahryar Ahmad Khan had been asked by the Prime Minister to conduct Track-II diplomacy and he is already in India for the purpose. “The diplomacy has always been part of overall peace process with India, complementing and supporting efforts for peace wherever possible.”

 When sought his comments on reports of Indian Border Security Force facilitating militants entering Pakistan, he said the two countries have border management mechanism and contact each other when need arises. He, however, said Pakistan expects that its policy of having good neighbourly relations with India would be reciprocated from the other side.

 PAKISTAN-CHINA: The spokesman said Pakistan and China have signed eight agreements and MoUs during visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to that country. These include MoU for Pak-China Economic Corridor which envisages establishment of ministerial level joint cooperation committee and joint working groups for formulating long term plan for economic corridor and promoting infrastructure.  

Other documents signed today include agreement on economic and technical cooperation, letter of exchange on anti-polio equipment; letter of exchange for bilateral training course on textile management and flood relief; MoU on cooperation between Communist Party of China and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League(PML-N); cooperation between Chinese Centre for Contemporary World Study and Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad; agreement on laying of Pakistan-China cross border cable system and agreement between Punjab Government and ZTE company of China.

To a question the spokesman said Pakistan welcomes decision of the Saudi King for extension of three months in the deadline given to expatriates to correct their status. He hoped that by the time the next deadline expires, situation would improve and minimum number of Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia would be affected.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Jul 5 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.