ISLAMABAD: Pakistan respects sovereignty and territorial integrity
of Libya even in a transition which is being closely monitored, said
Foreign Office Spokesperson Tehmina Janjua during her weekly media
briefing.
“On the situation in Libya, we are monitoring the
situation very closely. Our diplomatic mission in Tripoli is fully
operational and is also monitoring the situation. We believe that at
this juncture in time, the situation is in a flux,” she said in
response to a question. “So we continue to monitor the situation and in
doing so we are guided by the principles of respect for sovereignty,
political independence, and territorial integrity of all the states,”
she added. Regarding reported change of flag at the Libyan Embassy in
Islamabad, she said, “we have not received any official intimation to
this effect.”
To another question, the spokesperson said,
Pakistan calls upon India to stop human rights in Indian held Kashmir.
Pakistan is taking review of a human rights organization’s report
regarding revelation of collective grave in occupied Kashmir. “With
regard to the report of the Indian Human Rights Commission that has
been recently published, we have seen some disconcerting facts which
have been revealed in the report. This only goes to confirm what has
repeatedly been said by Kashmiri leaders. It is imperative that the
Human Rights of Kashmiris are respected and those responsible for such
crimes are brought to justice,” she added.
According to the
spokesperson President Asif Zardari would visit China and Tajikistan
commencing from 31 August. During the visit to Tajikistan, President
would participate four nation conference including Afghanistan,
Pakistan Tajikistan and Russia. The moot would discuss about the future
as well reconcillation process of Afghanistan.
“Measures for
the improvement of ties between Pakistan and US are going on which is
extremely imperative for peace and stability of the region. Pakistan
wants relation based on mutual respect and understanding. Both the
countries are negotiating to resolve operational problems”,
spokesperson said by rebutting the news items, published in some part
of media regarding sending 200 Americans back.
Answering
another question she said that the decision about the long-term
presence of the US troops in Afghanistan would be made by the Afghan
people and government. However Pakistan supports every endeavor for the
establishment of peace in Afghanistan. “We have also assured
Afghanistan for our full cooperation in this regard”, Tehmina Janjua
added.
According to the spokesperson, President Asif Ali
Zardari will visit China on 30 August to 1 September to participate in
the China-Eurasia Expo being held in Urumqi. Chinese Vice Premier Li
Kequang, will call on the President at Urumqi in addition to the
leaders of the Chinese corporate sector. The visit aims at
strengthening business to business linkages between Pakistan and China
and Pakistani and Eurasian businesses. A Pakistani pavilion is being
set up at the Expo that the President will visit.
The President
will also visit Tajikistan on 1-2 September 2011 on the invitation of
H.E. President Emomali Rahmov. The third Quadrilateral Summit between
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Russia will be held on 2
September in Dushanbe. The first two Summits were held at Dushanbe and
Sochi in Russia. The Quadrilateral Summit will focus on matters of
regional connectivity including infrastructure and energy projects;
regional trade; peace and stability in the region including support for
the Afghan reconciliation process; and, cooperation in countering
terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime. A Trilateral meeting
between President Asif Ali Zardari, President Hamid Karzai and
President Emomali Rahmov is also scheduled.
According to the
spokesperson, Pakistan continues to engage with the United States for
building a stable partnership for our shared goals. It remains our
belief that this relationship is crucial for the peace and stability of
the entire region and beyond. The realization on both sides about the
importance of this partnership and the need for it to be founded upon
mutual trust and mutual respect was fully acknowledged, during the
Secretary of State’s conversation with the Foreign Minister over the
telephone a few days ago.
Answering a question US officials
intercepted in Peshawar and showing an NOC from GHQ, she said, on
issues like this which are operational matters, the discussions are
ongoing between the Foreign Office and the US Embassy. “I don’t think
we need to go into details as to what was the exact reason for any NOC
being issued because there are certain procedures that apply to all
diplomats without discrimination. The Foreign Minister also referred to
these procedures which are adhered to by all Embassies and Consulates,
she added. According to the spokesperson, NOCs for the moment of
diplomats remains within the purview of the Foreign Office.
On
Brahamdagh Bugti’s presence in Switzerland, she said, the question has
been raised with the Swiss authorities in the past. You are referring
to recent article published in the New York Times. We are looking into
the details of the article, she replied to a questioner. Online
