Pakistan has said that remarks of US Defence Secretary about unilateral action inside Pakistan is out of line with the type of cooperation between the two countries on counter-terrorism.
Referring to his statement during weekly news briefing in Islamabad
here on Thursday afternoon, Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua
said Pakistan condemns terrorism and terrorist incidents anywhere in
the world.
She, however, pointed out that terrorism is a complex issue
requiring close cooperation amongst all concerned. Pakistan and the
United States have cooperated in counter-terrorism and Pakistan’s
cooperation is premised on the respect for the country’s sovereignty.
The spokesperson said there was need to launch joint action against
sanctuaries on the other side of the border from where militants have
been launching attacks on Pakistani border posts and villages.
She said there is clear need for addressing the issue in a
cooperative manner and Pakistan was prepared to continue to cooperate
with the United States on counter-terrorism.
Replying to a question she said Pakistan has been emphasizing that
timely intelligence sharing is critical for addressing the issues like
high value targets.
To another question the spokesperson said Pakistan’s position on
drone attacks is guided by the resolution of the parliament and has
been clearly stated to the United States on a number of occasions.
The spokesperson said Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar would be
visiting New York from Saturday next to attend 66th session of the UN
General Assembly.
She would hold a meeting with the US Secretary of State Hilary
Clinton on Sunday, which would provide an opportunity to the two
leaders to discuss all issues.
She will also be holding bilateral meetings with Foreign Ministers
of a number of countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly
session.
The spokesperson said the Foreign Minister would also avail this
opportunity to reach out to the international community for assistance
for the flood affected people.
The Foreign Minister has already briefed foreign diplomats in
Islamabad about the magnitude of the devastation and the need for
assistance.
She said the NDMA is carrying out need assessment survey in
collaboration with multilateral institutions which would form basis for
seeking assistance from other countries for the affected people.
The spokesperson said Pakistan has also approached the World Health
Organization to provide assistance to contain the spread of Dengue
virus.
Tehmina Janjua said Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Javid Luden is
arriving in Islamabad today to lead his country’s delegation in the
third meeting of the working group of the Joint Commission on Peace and
Reconciliation. Pakistan side would be led by Foreign Secretary Salman
Bashir.
To a question she said Pakistan has taken up with Afghanistan the
issue of incursions by militants from that country into Pakistan. Both
countries agree that militants and terrorists are their common enemies.
Replying to yet another question she said Pakistan is also in
constant touch with the Afghan government with the request to help out
in the release of children kidnapped by militants. SANA
