ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office rejected on Thursday a perception that the military was obstructing normalisation of ties with India.

“No amount of effort can create a wedge between the civil and military leadership of Pakistan. Armed forces of Pakistan fully support the democratic process,” Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said at his weekly media briefing.

He was responding to comments by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he had tried to suggest that the civil-military imbalance in Pakistan was blocking his efforts to have better relations with Islamabad.

In an interview with TimesNow TV, Mr Modi said: “The first thing is that with whom in Pakistan you will decide about laxman rekha (red line) — with an elected government or with other actors?”

While underscoring that the armed forces were respected for the sacrifices rendered by them for the country, the FO spokesman reiterated that Pakistan remained fully committed to better relations with India.

“We feel that dialogue is the best option for both sides to resolve their issues. We have said this earlier also that we remain open to dialogue. We will be ready whenever India is ready,” he said.

Mr Zakaria instead blamed India for the impasse in the relationship.

Referring to the Mumbai attacks trial about which India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of tardiness, he recalled that the foreign secretary had written to his Indian counterpart for more evidence so that the case could be concluded.

“The response from the Indian side is still awaited.”

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had earlier this week in a foreign policy briefing for media also accused India of hindering progress towards resumption of dialogue.

“Indian narrative has remained unchanged. They do not want to give us credit (for our actions against terrorism) and keep an excuse for not starting dialogue,” he said, adding that India wanted normalisation on its terms, which was not acceptable to Pakistan.

In reply to a question about captured Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been accused of being involved in espionage and terrorism in Pakistan, the FO spokesman said the information gathered from him was being utilised to break a network of RAW-sponsored individuals involved in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistan.

“We will continue to update the international community, particularly the United Nations and other international players, as the situation warrants,” he said.

APP adds: The FO spokesman said strengthening people-to-people contacts with India was important for which the two sides had been making efforts. Pakistan encouraged promotion of religious tourism with India and facilitated Hindus and Sikhs visiting their holy sites in Pakistan, he added.

Asked whether the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) was ‘alive or dead’ following the drone strike that killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, the spokesman said all member countries remained committed to ensuring peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan was sincerely committed to playing the role of a facilitator for sustainable peace in Afghanistan, he added.

About membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the spokesman said Pakistan considered that it fulfilled the criteria and credentials of membership on merit.

He said that during the group’s meeting in Seoul, South Korea, on June 23-24, Pakistan’s stance for non-discriminatory and criteria-based approach was recognised by several member countries in their discussions. He said Pakistan would consider applying for the membership of Missile Technology Control Regime when the “time is right”.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2016