ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan says that it is looking ahead when the new government emerges
in New Delhi and the suspended Composite Dialogue between the two
countries can resume again so that all disputes are resolved leading to
peace and greater economic development for both countries.
“We
have a framework with India which has an eight point agenda. This
process has been disrupted for the last three years. We believe that to
have sustainable and durable peace, we need to address all the issues
and disputes that stand between Pakistan and India having normal, good
neighbourly relations and having peace and cooperation in the region. We
look forward to the resumption of that process so that people of this
region can benefit from economic cooperation and we can focus on our
economic development”, spokesperson at the Foreign Office told the
weekly media briefing.
As prime minister hopeful BJP’s
Narendra Modi, acknowledged as a confirmed bachelor made waves in India
on Thursday while acknowledging in his affidavit that he is married and
has a wife, Pakistan meanwhile, refused to get drawn into speculations
whether Modi would emerge as the new prime minister.
“Well,
I am not in the business of reading minds. We deal with countries. It’s
for the people of India to elect whoever they deem fit. We will take it
from there”, said the spokesperson.
With the BJP while
unfolding its new manifesto says it wants to do away with Article 370 of
the Constitution (giving special autonomous status to Jammu and
Kashmir) if it came to power, the spokesperson to a query said that
“India’s constitution is India’s internal matter. We have a position on
Jammu and Kashmir because Pakistan is a recognised and legitimate party
to this dispute”.
Pakistan finally acknowledged that the
Pakistan Navy is paying a friendly port call in Iran but made no mention
of the fact that joint naval exercises are also on the agenda. The ISPR
for reasons best known to the military establishment has shied away
from acknowledging these naval exercises.
The spokesperson
also avoided any comment on the Pak-Iran security Bill passed by
Iranian parliament for better coordination on matters related to jointly
dealing with border management and other security related problems.
However
while commenting Pakistan-Iran relations, she pointed out that the
recent tensions on the kidnapping of Iranian guards are only one aspect
of bilateral ties.
“(Our relations) are not just about one
issue. We have a multifaceted relationship and cooperation. There have
been contacts in Islamabad as well as in Tehran regarding the proposed
visit of the prime minister and discussions on some meetings that will
precede that visit. So this relationship needs to be looked at in the
broader context”, said the spokesperson.
To a query the spokesperson reiterated that talks had been held between the two sides over the kidnapped Iranian guards.
“Our
authorities and security agencies confirmed that they have no
indication that these guards were brought to Pakistan and also that
there was absolutely no indication that they were released in Pakistan”,
she said.
The government while complimenting the people
of Afghanistan for daring to cast their votes despite security risks
said that “the high voter turn-out was the clearest affirmation of the
Afghan people’s resolve to chart their future course through democratic
means.”
This augurs well for the prospects of democracy
and peace in Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s consistent support for a free
and fair electoral process is based on the belief that it is vital, both
for a smooth political transition and for Afghanistan’s future
stability, said the spokesperson.
ISLAMABAD:
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
Wednesday said that the government, armed forces and law enforcement
agencies are at same page on going dialogue with Taliban. 