ISLAMABAD: Pakistan wants dialogue with India in all outstanding issues including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, said Foreign Officer on Thursday adding that pre-conditions, however, are not acceptable.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s four-point peace initiative is the way forward for reducing tension and to more forward in an open and constructive manner, said Foreign Office Spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah in his weekly press briefing in Islamabad.
Pakistan has never shied away from talks with New Delhi, added Qazi “We have insisted for negotiations on all issues including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan is ready for talks with India but pre-conditions are not acceptable,” he said.
Responding to a question, Qazi Khalilullah said that the purpose of handing over dossiers to the UN Secretary General was to inform him about the Indian involvement in fomenting terrorism in Pakistan. He said that Pakistan will continue to inform the United Nations about its concerns in this regard in future as well.
When asked about the eruption of violence in India on cow-slaughtering, the FO spokesperson said the country, which claims to be a secular state, should guarantee the basic rights of minorities. “Attacks on Muslims on the issue of cow slaughtering are beyond comprehension and a cause of concern for the Muslim Ummah,” he said.
The spokesperson strongly rejected allegations that Pakistani agencies or forces are involved in attacks in Afghanistan. He said we condemn the occupation of Afghan territory by any group. Khalilullah said that Islamabad has been helping Kabul in countering terrorism and the development process.
When asked about the Mina tragedy, the spokesperson said that all out efforts are being made to locate the forty-three missing Pakistani pilgrims. He said according to the latest information, eighty-nine Pakistani pilgrims were martyred and five others wounded in the tragedy.
