Summary Sartaj Aziz says Pakistan wants resolution of Syrian issue through peaceful means.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz has said that tension has increased with India following violations on Line of Control.
Making a policy statement on foreign policy in the National Assembly on Friday‚ he regretted the recent tension in relations and said Pakistan undertook several steps to defuse the tension. However‚ India has not reciprocated to Pakistan's overtures.
He said Pakistan had proposed joint investigation of violations on LoC but India refused both of our proposals. He said eleven people including eight army personnel have been killed and thirty-one injured in Indian violations on LoC since January.
The Advisor said Pakistan has called upon New Delhi to observe 2003 Ceasefire Agreement for reduction of tension.
On Kashmir issue‚ Sartaj Aziz said India has always insisted for solution of this issue through bilateral talks but so far these efforts have failed to produce any result. He said the international community should fulfill its responsibility for resolution of this outstanding issue for peace and stability in the region.
On Afghan issue‚ the Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security said peace and stability in Afghanistan is vital for peace in Pakistan.
He said the recent visit of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to Islamabad remained successful and helped bringing relations to normalcy.
He said Pakistan does not believe in interference in the internal matters of Afghanistan. He said there is no favourite group of Pakistan in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan had supported Qatar process and hoped that dialogue process will continue for peace and stability. He‚ however‚ said that the regional countries will have to resist from interference in Afghanistan for this purpose.
About relations with the United States‚ he said both the countries have agreed to resume the strategic dialogue early next year. He expressed the confidence that relations which saw ups and downs in the past will flourish in the years to come.
He said our priority is to enhance trade and economic relations with the US as we are pursuing the policy of trade and not aid. On drone strikes‚ he said these have resulted in loss of innocent lives and are also against the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan.
He said the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has also supported Pakistan's stance on drone strikes. He said the Prime Minister during his visit to the US next month will raise this issue again with the Obama Administration and also seek support of other countries.
Expressing concerns over the situation in Syria‚ Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan wants resolution of this problem through peaceful means. He said that the UN inspectors are currently in Syria and the world powers should wait for their report.
He said that Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty should be respected. Condemning the use of chemical weapons in Syria‚ he said Pakistan rejects regime change through external sources as the change should be decided by the Syria themselves.
