‘Pakistan moving ahead methodically on NWA operation’

* FO says US understands Pakistan’s position with regard to full-scale operation in North Waziristan

* Zardari asked Biden for transfer of drone technology to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: With regards to an operation in North Waziristan, Islamabad is moving ahead methodically and firmly keeping in view its strategic objectives, the Foreign Office said on Thursday.

Talking at the weekly news briefing, FO spokesman Abdul Basit said the US understood Pakistan’s position very well with regard to a full-scale operation in the agency.

“Pakistan is moving ahead methodically and firmly keeping in view its strategic objectives,” he said.

He emphasised that all regional countries should work towards maintaining state-to-state relations with Afghanistan and should not allow any great game to be played out in the country, adding that all regional countries need to adhere to the policy of “non-interference and non-intervention in Afghanistan”.

The spokesman said the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan had suffered heavily and there was no room for a new “great game” pertaining to Afghanistan.

“Being an immediate neighbour, Pakistan understands its implications and consequences not only for Afghanistan and Pakistan, but for the entire region. Pakistan has always desired working for peace and tranquility in the region and along its borders,” he said.

“Pakistan is firmly committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and working closely for normal state-to-state relations with its neighbour.”

To a question, he said the issue of drone attacks was raised during the visits of US Vice President Joe Biden and Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Frank Ruggiero.

He said President Asif Ali Zardari also took up the issue with Biden and insisted on the transfer of the technology to Pakistan.

To another question, he said President Asif Ali Zardari had left for the US to attend the memorial service being held in honour of late ambassador Richard Holbrooke.

Taking advantage of his presence in Washington, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton will also call on him, he added.

About the pope’s remarks on the blasphemy law, he said the PM had already made it clear that there was no move on the cards to repeal the law.

Answering another question, he said the government would defend its officials in a US court in the Mumbai attack case. He said Pakistan was still awaiting New Delhi’s response to the suggestion of sending a judicial commission to India as is required legally in the ongoing Mumbai attack trial in Pakistan. The spokesman once again asked India to share, at the earliest, investigations into the Samjhota Express terrorist attack carried out by Hindu extremists, in which 42 Pakistani nationals were killed.

To another question, he said Pakistan had been vigorously pursuing the Kashmir issue at diplomatic and political fronts. app

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