Islamabad: Foreign Office has taken strong exception to the unwarranted reference against Pakistan in the Indo-US joint statement issued after talks between the US Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense with their Indian counterparts in New Delhi.
At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad today, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said Pakistan rejects the baseless allegations. He said we have also conveyed our position to the US side.
The spokesperson said that mentioning of a third country with unsubstantiated accusations in a formal outcome document is inconsistent with the established diplomatic norms. What is more ironic is that many other thorny issues involving the third country were avoided in the joint statement by the Indian side. The spokesperson said that Mumbai trial is on going in anti terrorism court in Pakistan. He said the judicial process shall take its course.
Dr Muhammad Faisal asked the US side to also focus similarly if not more on the Indian state terrorism and the resulting humanitarian emergency in Indian occupied Kashmir.
The spokesperson expressed surprise that there was no mention in the joint statement of the continued ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along the line of control and the working boundary which poses a grave threat to regional peace and security.
Responding to a question, Dr Muhammad Faisal said that Pakistan is always ready for talks with India for resolution of all outstanding disputes. He confirmed both the countries are in contact with each other through track two diplomacy.
To a question, the spokesperson said Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit Saudi Arabia but dates will be announced later.
The spokesperson said that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmoud Qureshi will visit Kabul on Saturday during which important matters relating to peace and security will be discussed.
The spokesperson said that Pakistan has closed its consulate in Jalalabad due to security concerns. He said the matter has been taken up with the Afghan officials who have assured to address the concerns.
To a question, the spokesperson categorically rejected that Pakistan is considering renegotiating the CPEC with China.
He said there is no such thing and we have already rejected it.
