ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has made demarches to several countries over the
situation of Balochistan, who have assured Islamabad that their
respective territories would not be used for anti-Pakistan activities,
the Foreign Office said Friday.
Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul
Basit also said that Pakistani mission in Geneva is active to not
project Balochistan issue unnecessary.
“We have made demarches
to the relevant governments on these issues and we have been assured
that their respective territories would not be used for anti-Pakistan
activities,” he added.
He assured that the Foreign Office and
Pakistani Missions abroad are engaged to ensure that this issue is not
exploited to damage Pakistan. Regarding activities in Geneva, he said
that the Mission in Geneva is active and will ensure that the issue is
not portrayed in a manner that some detractors of Pakistan are trying to
do. “Last week, we made a demarche with the Embassy of Switzerland in
this regard,” He further explained.He added all the concerned steps were
taken to resolve the issue.
Nawabzada Brahmdagh Bugti,
President of the Baloch Republican Party who was in Switzerland and
applied for asylum, had welcomed a resolution on Balochistan tabled in
the United States’ House of Representatives.
Nawabzada Hyrbyair Marri, also had held a meeting with exiled Balochistan Republican Party Chief Nawabzada Brahumdagh Bugti.
“The
government of Pakistan has been trying to handle the situation
politically. This is our internal matter. We will deal with this issue
in our own constitutional political way,” Basit said while replying to a
question.
Over opening of US consulate in Balochistan, he said
no decision has been taken in this regard though there was a request by
the US some years ago.
To a question over Pakistan-India
relations and the issue of Kashmir, the spokesman said that the Jammu
and Kashmir dispute is about the people of Kashmir; it is about their
inalienable right to self-determination. There is, therefore, no
question of freezing this issue or putting this core dispute on the back
burner, nor it can be done, the spokesman said. Referring to the United
Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders,
Margaret Sekaggya, in her address to the UN Human Rights Council in
Geneva, he said that she urged the government of India to repeal, among
others, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and the Jammu and Kashmir
Public Safety Act.
Basit said that Kashmiris have given enormous
sacrifices in their legitimate struggle. The democratic Government and
the people of Pakistan strongly believe that the settlement of the Jammu
and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions is
essential for viable peace in south Asia.
“Doubtless, we are
taking steps on the path to normalize Pakistan-India relations, but
reaching the final destination will inevitably be contingent upon
realization of Kashmiris’ aspirations.”
To another Question, he
said, “I am not aware if any such discussions are taking place. These
discussions, if any, are in the private realm and not part of any
government policy.”
Over Siachin, he hoped that the issue will
be resolved as quickly as possible, saying that this issue is part of
the resumed dialogue process with India. “We are looking forward to the
resolution of this issue as well as all the other bilateral issues,
including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.”
To a question
about General Mattis visit to Pakistan, he said that no date was yet
conveyed to Pakistani officials nor a meeting was scheduled.
On
regional situation pertaining to Iran, he said that keeping interests of
all the stakeholders in view, the issues with Iran should be resolved
peacefully through negotiations.
When asked about Syria’s
situation, he said, “We understand that sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Syria should be respected and issues should be resolved
peacefully.” Online
