ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) spokesman Qazi Khalilullah on Thursday said a possible meeting could take place between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian premier Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Russia.

Speaking at a news briefing at the Foreign Ministry today, the spokesman did not rule out the possibility of the meeting. However, he added that there had been no formal contact between the two leaders regarding such a meeting.

"Leaders on such multilateral fora do meet each other," the spokesman remarked.

Pakistan mediating talks between Afghan Taliban, their government

While speaking on the issue of peace talks in relation to the Afghan crisis, the FO spokesman said Pakistan was facilitating talks between the Afghan Taliban and their government. He also said that China had expressed deep interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Last month, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz had told the first ever meeting of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee at Parliament House that Pakistan was ready to play any possible role in the reopening of dialogue between Afghan Taliban and the Afghan government where ever it is being planned.

Read more: Pakistan ready to facilitate dialogue between Afghan govt, Taliban: Sartaj Aziz

The FO spokesman also said that Pakistan was still awaiting a response from British authorities on the recent BBC report that claimed that the Muttahida Qaumi Movment (MQM) had received funding from Indian authorities.

Take a look: India provided funds to MQM, claims BBC report

Afghan border gate being constructed on Pakistani side

The spokesman rejected Afghanistan's claim that a gate on the Pak-Afghan border is being constructed on the Afghan side. Khalilullah clarified that the gate was being constructed on the Pakistani side of Angoor Adda in South Waziristan.

Also read: Two Pakistani soldiers hurt, Afghan guard killed in clash

Two soldiers were wounded last night when the Afghan National Army fired at the Pakistan Army’s position in Angoor Adda. An Afghan border guard was killed in exchange of fire.

Official sources had said that the government had planned to construct an entry gate, ‘Bab-i-Waziristan’, along the Afghan border. Afghan authorities have reservations over the plan and had asked Pakistan to abandon it.

The sources had said that the Afghan government considered it a disputed territory despite the fact that a proper demarcation line had been drawn under the Durand Line agreement.

Skirmishes at Angoor Adda took place at a time when relations between Islamabad and Afghanistan had started deteriorating in the wake of a surge in Taliban attacks inside Afghanistan and statements of the Afghan leadership against Pakistan.

Pakistan High Commission seeks details regarding Pakistani citizen's killing

Discussing the killing of Pakistani citizen Waheed Noor Khan in India, the FO spokesman said that the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi had approached the Indian Ministry of External Affairs for details of the incident. Khan and his remains were handed over to Pakistani authorities last week at Wagah border.

Read: India hands over body of Pakistani 'who crossed border by mistake'

Pakistan should continue to be at the forefront of UN activities, debates

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday during a meeting with Pakistan's Permanent Representative (PR) to the UN Ambassador Dr Maleeha Lodhi said that Pakistan had always played an active role in the UN and should continue to be in the forefront of all activities and debates.

The premier, who was called on by Dr Lodhi at the PM House today, directed the envoy to continue to ensure that Pakistan's voice was heard on issues relating to peace, security and development at the UN. He further gave guidelines to Dr Lodhi on how to make the country's participation more meaningful.

The premier also mentioned that Pakistan contributed the largest troops to the UN peacekeeping operations in the world.

Dr Lodhi briefed the prime minister about UN-related matters and several events that are scheduled to take place during the special session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in September this year. The UN would be marking the 70th anniversary of its founding this year which gives special importance to the upcoming session.

Prime Minister Nawaz is expected to address the UNGA session during which he would highlight Pakistan's foreign policy and national priorities.

In addition, Dr Lodhi apprised the premier on a number of other significant events which have great relevance to Pakistan. Of these events, the most important would be the post-2015 development agenda, endorsed by world leaders. This will include the adoption of sustainable development goals.

Other significant events taking place at the UNGA session include a summit on South-South cooperation, a meeting on gender equality and women empowerment and a peacekeeping summit to be co-hosted by Pakistan along with other countries.

Aziz and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Mr Tariq Fatemi were also present at the meeting.