China not seeking mily bases in Pakistan: FO
China not seeking mily bases in Pakistan: FO
Published: October 28, 2011
ISLAMABAD (Agencies) - Extending its diplomatic and moral support for the cause of Kashmiri people, Pakistan said on Thursday that it was committed to supporting the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua, in her weekly press briefing said: “Pakistan continues to discuss Kashmir issue with India at every possible occasion and it figured in resumed dialogue process between the two countries.” She said the Kashmir issue was also discussed during the last meeting of the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India and it will remain on the agenda in talks with India. The spokesperson said Pakistan’s policy is Kashmir is very clear and the issue was raised at all the important international fora. She said: “We would also like to express complete solidarity with the Kashmiri people as they mark today, October 27, the Black Day.”
Replying to a question, she said Pakistan evaluates recent visit of US Secretary of State to Islamabad positively.
“It was useful and constructive as it allowed opportunity for in depth discussions leading to broad convergence of views at the strategic level,” she added. The spokesperson said there is a complex situation in the region requiring clarity of purpose, objectivity and firm determination and that is what the two countries are aiming to look at. She said President Asif Ali Zardari will hold talks with Afghan and Turkish leaders on the eve of a long-awaited conference on Afghanistan in Istanbul.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Turkish President Abullah Gul will also attend the meeting on Saturday, Janjua told reporters. The agenda will include peace, stability and reconciliation in Afghanistan and economic cooperation for Afghanistan, she said. “Pakistan strongly supports these areas” and will continue to “contribute constructively to all endeavours and initiatives in this regard,” she said. Turkey hosts a regional conference on Afghanistan on November 2 in Istanbul, which Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will attend.
“Pakistan supports efforts for a secure, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan contributing to stability, security and prosperity in the region,” Janjua said.
“It is important that unity of purpose and the region’s support for Afghanistan must be ensured through consensus decision making.”
On reports published in a section of press that China was seeking military bases in Pakistan, the spokesperson rejecting these reports said this was rubbish and mere fabrication.
She said President Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani have sent messages to the Turkish leadership expressing sympathy and solidarity with the Turkish people on the loss of lives and damage to property caused by the earthquake in the Turkish eastern province of Van.
She said Pakistan’s embassy in Libya is in touch with Pakistani community leaders to know the kind of support needed by them in the current situation.
The spokesperson said, the Prime Minister has sent a message of solidarity for people of Thailand over flooding there.
She said Pakistan’s embassy in Bangkok is in contact with Pakistanis in Thailand to know if they wanted any assistance including repatriation from affected areas.
Janjua said Prime Minister Gilani has sent a message to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra of Thailand expressing support and solidarity with the government and people of Thailand facing unprecedented floods.
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