ISLAMABAD: Clearing dust, partially at least, from backdrop of Bonn
conference boycott, Pakistan on Thursday said it was very much
associated and committed to the peace process in Afghanistan.
“Boycott
of the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan did not mean that Pakistan has
dissociated from the Afghan peace process,” said Abdul Basit, the newly
designated Spokesman of the Foreign Office.
Answering questions
in FO weekly briefing, the Spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment
to quest for peace and stability in Afghanistan in particular and in
the region in general. “The boycott of Bonn Conference that Pakistan did
in protest of Nato attack on its border posts on November 26, was under
the decision of Defense Committee later on upheld by the full Cabinet,”
he added. “The boycott was in Pakistan’s larger interest, and we would
continue to facilitate the process of peace and stability in
Afghanistan,” he maintained. There was no point to attend the conference
in the background of 26/11 event,” added.
Responding to
questions on US-Pakistan relations, he said, Pakistan’s engagement with
Nato as well as US was under review again under the decision of
leadership. He described timeline and objectives of the review process
as beyond his purview to talk about.
“Not at all,” was his
answer to the question of a halt or break down of Pakistan’s ties with
US. “We are streamlining our existing relations with US and Nato,” he
added. Failing to give any figure, he said, US has delayed disbursement
of the Coalition Support Fund. He described the impressions of
Pakistan’s reliance on US financial assistance as a perception. He
attempted to downplay the reported US threats of aid cut.
According
to the spokesperson Pakistan encouraged Afghanistan to share any
evidence of some banned Pakistani outfit being involved in recent
bombing that killed over 50 Afghans. This he said in response to a
question on Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s remarks about a banned
outfit’s involvement in suicide bombing in Afghanistan.
Regarding
MFN status to India, he said, political decision has been taken at the
apex level and modalities would be settled in due course keeping in view
deep interests of Pakistan.
According to the spokesperson, the
second meeting of the governmental commission of Russia and Pakistan
would be held early next year. Russians have already shown interest in
upgrading of Pakistan steel mills in addition to couple other mega
projects. “Pak-Russia relations are on a trajectory at present,” he
added.
On China-Pakistan relations, he said, it is often said
that these are deeper than the ocean and higher the Himalayas. “But I
think this is the most appropriate depiction of the relations between
the two neighborly and friendly countries,” he added. Online
