Summary Foreign Office Spokesperson responded to questions during weekly briefing in Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam on Thursday said Pakistan wants peace in the neighbourhood for development of the entire region and good neighborly ties have to be on the basis of equality.
During weekly press briefing in Islamabad, the Foreign Office Spokesperson said Pakistan played a constructive role in negotiations leading up to the SAARC summit and actively participated in the SAARC standing committee and council of ministers. The host country also appreciated Pakistan`s constructive role.
She said the Prime Minister has had interactions with six SAARC leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
To a question regarding reports that Pakistan has not signed two agreements, Tasnim Aslam said some agreements were under discussions.
"Two of these have not been finalized as yet. Pakistan is not the only country that has not completed its internal procedures with regard to the two agreements. There are other SAARC members as well. We understand that the reports of the experts group were supposed to be submitted to the concerned Ministers for meeting the procedural requirements. And we have already indicated to the host Secretariat that the procedures had not been completed," she said.
To a question about Indian Home Minister s allegations against Pakistan, the spokesperson said it is not necessary to always respond to irresponsible rhetoric. Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Pakistan has paid more price, in blood and money, than any other country in the world in countering terrorism.
"We are a victim of terrorism that has roots in the events in this region over the last three decades. We reject these baseless allegations. We believe the problem of terrorism can be countered through cooperation not allegations," she said.
To a question about drone attacks, the spokesperson said Pakistan has demonstrated opposition to these strikes not only in words but has also taken practical steps to highlight this issue at multilateral forums. Resolutions passed by the world forums have questioned the legality of these strikes.
About Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif s statement that US policy towards this region has failed, she said Pakistan has a very comprehensive and constructive engagement with the US. There are obviously issues on which we have convergence and we may have divergences.
