ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Tuesday told the Senate
that Pakistan is reviewing its policy on Afghanistan in the envoys‘
conference.
During question hour she said that Afghanistan is a very important country for Pakistan.
The
policy toward Afghanistan is under review and "we must recognize
Afghanistan as a sovereign country as required by charter of UN", she
said, adding that it is in better interest of Pakistan to have good
relations with the government in Kabul what so ever it is.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan‘s security and prosperity depends on the peace stability in Afghanistan.
"Therefore, we say that prosperous, stable and peaceful Afghanistan is in interest of Pakistan," Hina Khar said.
However, she said that in reviewing the foreign policy keeping in view the interest of Pakistan is the foremost.
To
a question regarding huge staff in Pakistan‘s embassy in Kabul, she
said that there are always security threats to the mission in
Afghanistan and therefore majority of the employees are security staff,
besides the ambassador, one first secretary and two others. Responding
to the question raised by Senator Abbas Afridi about multiple visas to
Afghanistan, she said that Pakistan would raise issue of multiple visas
with Afghan government soon.
She said no doubt that Pakistan is
already giving the facility of multiple visas to Afghans but Afghanistan
should also reciprocate.
On Afghanistan bashing against Pakistan,the minister said that her country has rendered sacrifices for the former.
"We
accommodated a lot of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and what is our guilt
if someone move from here, then stay in a restaurant in Afghanistan and
he is not checked and then he attacks former Afghan President
Burhanuddin Rabbani," she said.
To a question by senator Zahid
Khan regarding jump up of Pakistani missions‘ expenditures in other
countries, she said that devaluation in value of rupee and inflation
caused enhancement in the expenditures.
On facilities to Baloch
students abroad, she said that at present she has data about Pakistani
students but not so much details.
Meanwhile, responding to
queries, Ministerof Statefor Production Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood said that
recently 349 utility stores were opened in Balochistan but certain
areas don‘t have it due to the law and order situation or absence of
banks.
To the questions, by Senator Ismail Baleedi, he said that
come up with a proposal for opening more utility stores in Balochistan
and the ministry would consider it.
Several members objected
performance of the utility stores and Hafiz Rashid, senator from FATA,
carried out token walk out as a protest against absence of the tribal
areas in the list of utility stores.
Chairman of the house
instructed the concerned minister to hold a meeting and after assessing
the province wise situation of utility stores, submit a report to the
house. Online
