Pakistan condemns drone attacks in Waziristan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday, condemning the latest drone attacks in Waziristan, said the attacks were illegal, counterproductive, unacceptable and violation of its territorial integrity.

“Pakistan wants to resolve the issue of drone attacks through bilateral talks with the United States,” said Foreign Office spokesman Moazam Ali Khan in the weekly briefing.

The spokesman said that the issue of drone attacks had been raised at the highest level with the American leadership as Pakistan always condemned these attacks.

He said that the American leadership understood Pakistan’s position and concern on the drone attacks and hoped that the matter be resolved through bilateral means.

Replying to a question about confirming the killing of Mullah Nazir in the recent drone attacks, the spokesman said that he was not in a position to verify this information.

The spokesman said Pakistan had so far released 26 Taliban prisoners from the Pakistani jails but refused to confirm about their whereabouts after release.

He said that Pakistan was releasing the Taliban prisoners in order to facilitate the reconciliation process for ensuring peace and security in Afghanistan.

The spokesman said that during her recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar also discussed the regional situation with Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Foreign Minister Saud al Faisal, including Syria, with special emphasis on Afghanistan.

He said Pakistan had very close and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia and both the countries wanted to promote the peace process in Afghanistan.

He said the visit of Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar remained very good, successful and productive as Pakistan enjoyed very good and strong brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia.

Replying to a question in delay in granting Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, the spokesman said that the cabinet had discussed the issue in its recent meeting. He said that the cabinet reiterated its previous decision to grant the MFN status to India and instructed the authorities concerned to implement the earlier cabinet decision in this regard.

Answering a question about the proposed Ulema Conference to be held in Kabul, the spokesman said that people were in contact to hold this important conference in Kabul during the current month and dates and participants from Pakistan were being finalised.

On the issue of fresh sanctions announced by the United States against Iran, the spokesman said Pakistan still hoped that the nuclear issue of Iran would be resolved through peaceful means. He said Pakistan was against the unilateral sanctions.

Answering a question about 50 Pakistani stranded at a building in Libya, the spokesman said due to disturbed situation there, it was very difficult to work there. He, however, said the Foreign Office was aware about the concern of media on these reports and would seek report from Pakistan’s ambassador to Libya. The spokesman confirmed that the father of Malala Yousufzai had been appointed Education Attache to facilitate the treatment of her daughter. app

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