Updated on
Summary Foreign Office has said that internal affairs of any state should not be interfered into.
Washington and the US Embassy have been informed about our reservations.While giving weekly briefing in Islamabad, FO spokesman Abdul Basit said, “Balochistan is our internal matter; all the countries should respect the sovereignty of one another.”He said that the Washington and the US embassy have been informed of our reservations about the US discussing the Balochistan issue.He said that national policy on done attacks in clear and candid, adding that such attacks are a challenge for our sovereignty which is unacceptable for us at any cost.Commenting on Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project, he said that it is very important for us. Construction work on the project is underway which would be completed till 2014, he said.The Foreign Office also said that no meeting between Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and representatives of Afghan Taliban were held in Qatar as no such meeting was in schedule.Spokesman said that a misconception was created that the Prime Minister had a plan to hold meetings with Taliban.He said that Gilani visit to Doha was exclusively focused on bilateral relations with Qatar, though, regional situation and peace in Afghanistan also came under discussion in the meetings between the Prime Minister and Qatari officials.About the initial talks between Taliban and the US, the spokesman said the American diplomatic sources had briefed Pakistani officials over their contacts and talks with them. However, he declined to comment on meeting between Taliban and the US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Ambassador Marc Grossman in Qatar.“Better this question be asked US State Department instead of me, they can confirm or reject such question,” he added.Responding to a question about different approaches of China and Pakistan over support to the UN resolution against Syria, he said, “Some amendment in the resolution enabled us to support it. Every country, that either voted for or against the resolution had their own valid reason. Our friendship with China is time-tested and everlasting.” But Pakistan always stands for respecting independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of all the countries including Syria, he further said.On the ongoing row over the US drone attacks, he said that such actions are unacceptable but after completion of the parliamentary process, Pakistani officials would have clear policy in this connection.Regarding the issue of Afghan refugees, the spokesman reiterated that Pakistan is engaged with the UN agencies for their return but with honor and dignity.Over the US pressure around the world against trade with Iran, he said that as far as the IP gas project is concerned there is no change in the position of Pakistan.Basit said that trilateral summit of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran in Islamabad next week will focus on counter-terrorism and drug trafficking.He said that Pakistan was quite busy on diplomatic front this week. Prime Minister Gilani visited Qatar and held negotiation on energy and bilateral relations. The foreign minister visited Russian Federation for improving bilateral relations, “Pakistan is facing energy crises and it also hold talks on this issue with Moscow”. “Russia also has interest in Pak-Iran gas project.” The Lankan President is also visiting Pakistan and so on, he said.Amid the rumors of Pakistani officials meeting during the prime minister visit with Taliban in Qatar, a reaction was noticed in Kabul.
