Army not interfering with political matters at all: Foreign Office

[Side-Winder]

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office rejected on Thursday a perception that the military was obstructing normalisation of ties with India.

“No amount of effort can create a wedge between the civil and military leadership of Pakistan. Armed forces of Pakistan fully support the democratic process,” Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria said at his weekly media briefing.

He was responding to comments by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he had tried to suggest that the civil-military imbalance in Pakistan was blocking his efforts to have better relations with Islamabad.

In an interview with TimesNow TV, Mr Modi said: “The first thing is that with whom in Pakistan you will decide about laxman rekha (red line) — with an elected government or with other actors?”

While underscoring that the armed forces were respected for the sacrifices rendered by them for the country, the FO spokesman reiterated that Pakistan remained fully committed to better relations with India.

“We feel that dialogue is the best option for both sides to resolve their issues. We have said this earlier also that we remain open to dialogue. We will be ready whenever India is ready,” he said.

Mr Zakaria instead blamed India for the impasse in the relationship.

Referring to the Mumbai attacks trial about which India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of tardiness, he recalled that the foreign secretary had written to his Indian counterpart for more evidence so that the case could be concluded.

“The response from the Indian side is still awaited.”

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had earlier this week in a foreign policy briefing for media also accused India of hindering progress towards resumption of dialogue.

“Indian narrative has remained unchanged. They do not want to give us credit (for our actions against terrorism) and keep an excuse for not starting dialogue,” he said, adding that India wanted normalisation on its terms, which was not acceptable to Pakistan.

In reply to a question about captured Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who has been accused of being involved in espionage and terrorism in Pakistan, the FO spokesman said the information gathered from him was being utilised to break a network of RAW-sponsored individuals involved in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistan.

“We will continue to update the international community, particularly the United Nations and other international players, as the situation warrants,” he said.

APP adds: The FO spokesman said strengthening people-to-people contacts with India was important for which the two sides had been making efforts. Pakistan encouraged promotion of religious tourism with India and facilitated Hindus and Sikhs visiting their holy sites in Pakistan, he added.

Asked whether the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) was ‘alive or dead’ following the drone strike that killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, the spokesman said all member countries remained committed to ensuring peace in Afghanistan. Pakistan was sincerely committed to playing the role of a facilitator for sustainable peace in Afghanistan, he added.

About membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the spokesman said Pakistan considered that it fulfilled the criteria and credentials of membership on merit.

He said that during the group’s meeting in Seoul, South Korea, on June 23-24, Pakistan’s stance for non-discriminatory and criteria-based approach was recognised by several member countries in their discussions. He said Pakistan would consider applying for the membership of Missile Technology Control Regime when the “time is right”.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1268272/army-not-against-normalisation-of-india-ties-fo

 

[third eye]

' Army not interfering with political matters at all: Foreign Office'

Shouldn't the title also have been suffixed with : ..and the FO has the Army's permission to say this ?

“Indian narrative has remained unchanged. They do not want to give us credit (for our actions against terrorism) and keep an excuse for not starting dialogue

Why would anyone give credit for attempting to set right a Self inflicted injury ?

 

[IbanEadam]

Pak Army is a professional force among all forces... Pak Army is playing their roll as it should be. Moodi is feeling that the Pak Army is a big hurdle in getting unfair advantages from corrupt politicians. In short every Pakistani believes that Pak Army will not let us and Pakistan down In Sha ALLAH..

 

[airmarshal]

Army is not and has not been interfering in politics and diplomacy. But just at look at the incompetence of 'democratic' govt. and its lack of ability to deal in foreign and international matters.

The PM has been away from the country for month and a half. We still dont know when he is coming back. In his absence, there is a leadership vacuum, which the ruling family & party are not even willing to accept. Even if he is the country, the PM is just visiting, for most of the time he is abroad. Then on top of that, there is no foreign policy so the govt did not even bother to appoint a foreign minister. For the PM and his family, the country is a toy. A toy that the PM has given to his daughter to play with. Its his daughter, who is the acting PM without even being a member of assembly.

If this is the state of affairs of the country, army is justified in interfering. This is Pakistan Army, not Indian or Afghan army. Although I still believe army has shown a lot of patience and it understands that for long term, a civilian set up is needed to grow and mature.

Just an example. Pakistan was in deep slumber until General Raheel called the adviser to the PM on foreign matters to GHQ and 'scolded' him for their lack of interest in NSG developments regarding Indian membership.