“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.
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