FO-Briefing

(@ChaudhryMAli88)

FO-Briefing

ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News -25th Augst,2016) Asked about the closer military ties between Afghanistan and India, the Spokesman said Pakistan would not comment on bilateral ties between the two countries. However, he warned against attempts to destabilize Pakistan, saying that "India should not use Afghan soil against Pakistan to create instability". Whether Pakistan's High Commission in London would take step following the MQM leader Altaf Hussain's anti-Pakistan speech, the Spokesman said the Interior ministry was dealing with the issue and had already contacted the British home ministry. On Pakistan's efforts for membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), he said the country's stance was based on strong credentials meeting the required standards and its demand for a criteria-based and non-discriminatory approach. He mentioned that Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi was currently on a visit to Belarus and Kazakhstan to muster support for NSG membership.

On Afghan conflict, the Spokesman said Pakistan reiterated the view that negotiations was the only viable solution instead of use of force. He said Pakistan would continue to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned solution to the problem.

On SAARC, he said the organization had been contributing since 1985 for the socio-economic development of regional countries, with poverty being the main issue. The Spokesman said Pakistan would be hosting 19th SAARC summit in November this year and was in full gears for preparation of the event. "We are looking forward for a very productive SAARC summit," he said about the summit to be attended by heads of government of member countries. The Spokesman also extended condolences and sympathy to the government of Italy on the devastation caused by earthquake.