ISLAMABAD, June 4: Pakistan on Monday made it clear in a pointed message to India that it would not tolerate hegemonic designs of any country in the region and underscored that respect for sovereign equality of states was vital for peace in the region.
The issue came up during a weekly news briefing at the Foreign Office when spokesperson Tasnim Aslam’s attention was drawn to India advising Sri Lanka against acquiring weapons from Pakistan. Noting that this is primarily a matter for the Sri Lankan government, she said: “Such statements raise questions about India’s attitude and policy towards its neighbours and the region.”
KASHMIR: On Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s statement that no timeframe could be given for the solution to the Kashmir dispute, Ms Aslam said: “As far as the timeframe for the settlement of the Kashmir dispute is concerned, it depends on the political will. If there is political will, it can be resolved very quickly and Pakistan has demonstrated that political will.”
She was evasive when asked if from her statement it could be inferred that there was a lack of political will on the part of India and merely said: “I only talk about the government of Pakistan, I cannot talk about another government whether there is political will or not.”
Commenting on the ruling out of demilitarisation in Indian held Kashmir by Mr Mukherjee, she noted: “Demilitarisation as we have seen is a unanimous demand of Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control. Any just solution to the Kashmir issue has to respond to the desires and demands of Kashmiris.”
The spokesperson told a questioner that Pakistan had received no indications from India that it might put on hold the dialogue process because of the ongoing judicial crisis in the country or defer it till the next government.
Regarding the APHC leaders’ demand for inclusion in the India-Pakistan dialogue process to make it successful, Ms Aslam said: “This is their long-standing demand and we have always supported Kashmiris’ participation in the peace process.”
PRISONERS OF WAR: Replying to a question, the spokesperson reiterated that there were no Indian prisoners of war in Pakistan. Noting that Pakistan went out of its way to provide relief and bring to an end the miseries of the families of missing Indians, she said it was a humanitarian gesture and it should be acknowledged as such.
CHARGES AHAINST MQM CHIEF: In reply to a question regarding charges levelled against MQM chief Altaf Hussain in Britain, the spokesperson said Pakistan had a judicial cooperation working group with the UK government as well as other forums and added: “We talk about cooperation on legal matters, but as far as this specific matter is concerned I have no information.”
Regarding reports about Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s visit to Afghanistan this week, Ms Aslam said: “Yes, there is an invitation and he is considering it.”
She termed “absolutely speculative” media reports that the prime minister had cancelled his visit to the UK because he wanted to avoid a meeting with MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
