ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday clarified that there are no signs of Iranian guards’ presence on Pakistan’s land.
Foreign
Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam during her weekly briefing said, “Our
authorities have combed Pakistani territory in search of the missing
Iranian guards, however, there are no clues that they are in Pakistan.”
The spokesperson said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif also discussed this issue on telephone last night
and the tone of discussion was very polite.
She said Pakistan and Iran enjoy deep-rooted multifaceted ties and were cooperating on the issue of missing guards.
The
spokesperson said Iranian guards went missing at least 5-10 kilometers
inside Sistan and an organization, Jaish-ul-Adl, claimed the
responsibility for the missing guards.
She said Pakistan will extend all possible cooperation to Iran for the recovery of these guards.
Replying
to a question, Tasnim Aslam said the dead body of a killed Iranian
guard was not found from Pakistani territory, which also gives the hint
about other guards.
The spokesperson said on the issue of
missing Iranian security guards, Pakistan is neither apologetic with
Iran nor wants that Iran will have aggressive attitude.
Morning Glory
Regarding
the Morning Glory vessel, the spokesperson informed that the Pakistani
crew is likely to arrive today or tomorrow. She said after necessary
investigations in Tripoli, Libyan authorities have cleared all of them.
The
spokesperson said since adoption of UN Resolution on 19th of this
month, illegal transportation of Libyan oil has been declared a crime.
She
said as precautionary measures, Pakistanis who work on such merchant
vessels abroad, need to be very careful and make sure they are working
with well-established companies to avoid any future complications.
Nuclear Supplier Group
On Nuclear Supplier Group, the spokesperson said Pakistan feels it qualifies for NSG status.
“We have sought the status of NGS for our energy requirements,” she added.
The
spokesperson said the world has acknowledged Pakistan as a responsible
nuclear state and there are also voices that Pakistan cannot be kept
away from Nuclear Supplier Group.
Referring to recently
held Nuclear Security Summit, Tasnim Aslam said Prime Minister Muhammad
Nawaz Sharif made a very strong point for inclusion of Pakistan in NSG
on non-discriminatory basis.
Modi’s Statements
Regarding
Narendra Modi’s statements, the spokesperson said it is unfortunate
that Pakistan becomes an issue during the election campaign in India.
She
said Pakistan strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations. She reiterated Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir dispute and
urged India to sit with Pakistan for the resolution of all outstanding
issues including Jammu and Kashmir.
The spokesperson said,
“Pakistan wants to resolve the dispute through dialogue as it is
imperative for development of the region and welfare of people.”
She
said Pakistan wanted the international community to convince India for
resumption of composite dialogue, therefore Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
in his recent statement clarified that Pakistan wants to resolve the
Jammu and Kashmir issue with India through dialogue process but India is
reluctant to do so, therefore, common friends like United States should
force India to come to the negotiating table to resolve the dispute.
She
said Jammu and Kashmir issue is still on the agenda of Security Council
of the United Nations and presence of UN military group across Line of
Control in Kashmir indicated that this is internationally recognized
dispute and it is not the internal matter of India.
The spokesperson said people of the two countries should get the benefit of the trade and economic ties.
Drone Attacks
On
the issue of drone attacks, the spokesperson hoped the United States
will maintain its recent policy on drones as they are counterproductive.
She said there has been a broad international consensus
against drones. Referring to EU Parliament’s resolution, she told it
demands from all European countries to refrain from becoming party on
drone strikes.
Bangladesh Flag Ban
In
reply to a question regarding Bangladesh government’s directive for its
cricket spectators, she said it is a matter to be looked into by the
International Cricket Council.
She said spectators are well-aware of their feelings and can better decide about their support for any country.
US Media Report
Commenting
on a report publish in an American newspaper, about shifting of
Al-Qaeda leadership from Pakistan to Syria, the spokesperson said there
has been no proof that Al-Qaeda leadership is moving to Syria from
Pakistan and the report published in the newspaper is baseless and
wrong.
The American newspaper while quoting Director of
CIA John Brennan said that dozens of militant fighters, including some
mid-level planners, have traveled to Syria from Pakistan in recent
months.
