By NNN-APP,
Islamabad : Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday said Pakistan has taken serious notice of the remarks of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding threats to India from terrorists and conveyed appropriate message to the India through its High Commission.
Talking to newsmen here at Foreign Service Academy after attending a seminar on “Pakistan-Nepal Relations” the Foreign Minister said, “Pakistan wants to cooperate with India on the issue of fight against terrorism and if India has any credible information in this regard, they should share it with Pakistan government.”
He said both the countries have to cooperate each other to fight against terrorism and to eradicate this menace from grass roots level.
The Foreign Minister said soon after the statement of Indian Prime Minister he asked the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan to convey the strong feelings of Pakistan to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
The minister while reacting to the remarks by the Indian Prime Minister about apprehensions regarding terrorist attacks being planned in Pakistan against India, reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to fully cooperate with India in preempting any act of terror, and asked India to share information that they have.
He said terrorism is a common enemy and Pakistan has itself been a victim of terrorism.
The Foreign minister said, “We would request India to share information that they have and for our part we stand ready to cooperate fully in preempting any act of terror.”
Shah Mahmood Qureshi while condemning the terrorism said, “Pakistan wants to have stability in the region with good and friendly relations with the neighbours.”
Commenting on the Indian apprehension about giving drone technology to Pakistan the Foreign Minister said, “Pakistan has no aggressive design against any one.”
Regarding increasing expenditures by India on different types of arsenals, he said, although Pakistan did not want to involve in this arms race but fulfilling its defence requirements is its right.
“We are peaceful nation and want to live with peace in the region,” he added.
Replying to a question about proposed meeting between the two foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan has invited the Indian Foreign Secretary to visit Pakistan so that the two secretaries could work out the modalities and agenda for the forthcoming meeting between two foreign ministers in New York on the sidelines of United Nations session as promised following the meeting of two prime ministers at Sharm El-Sheikh.
Replying to a question about apprehensions of expansion in US embassy in Islamabad, the Foreign Minister said it is not a serious issue.
The minister said the reports published in different sections of press regarding arrival of 1000 or 7000 US Marines to Pakistan was also incorrect.
Qureshi said nothing is alarming in the expansion of US embassy in Islamabad and Pakistan has no apprehension due to this development, adding that it is just to fulfil the growing needs of the embassy due to increasing interaction between the two countries.
The minister however said lack of information between media and the US embassy is also another factor in raising apprehension for the expansion of the embassy. He expressed the hope that US embassy would engage media to remove apprehensions and lack of information.
Referring to increase of US economic assistance to Pakistan, the Foreign Minister said this increase also required more staff to have better coordination with Pakistani government.
The Minister said US is also helping Pakistan for the IDPs therefore, they need more staff to handle these projects.
Answering a question about American interest to help Pakistan in energy sectors and its impact on Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, the Minister said it will not be on the cost of IPI project.
Qureshi said it was success of Pakistan’s foreign policy that America is now ready to help and assist Pakistan in resolving energy crisis. Referring to the statement of Richard Holbrooke, the minister said it also indicate success in the policy of Pakistan that there has been shift in the policy of America towards economic and energy crisis.
He said it was an expansion of the bilateral relations that would be helpful and benefit people of Pakistan.
The minister said Ambassador Holbrooke has assured that US would help in mobilization of funds for the energy sector to resolve issue of load shedding Pakistan.
Replying to a question, the minister said, American had not asked Pakistan to launch any operation in Baluchistan.
Answering a question about arrangements for forthcoming presidential election in Afghan, the Foreign Minister said, “We have no favurites and will accept the democratic decision of the people of Afghanistan and do any thing and every thing for peaceful election process.”
He said, “Pakistan wants to see credible elections. Fair, free and impartial elections and results should be accepted by the people of Afghanistan.”
Replying to a question of arrest of spokesman of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Maulvi Umer, the Foreign Minister said he has not so far received any confirmation of his arrest.
Earlier, addressing the seminar on “Pakistan-Nepal Relations” the Foreign Minister said Pakistan making serious efforts to further strengthen these bilateral relations.
He said both the countries are plying important role in the regional organization of SAARC.
The Minister said Pakistan also offering different types of training to Nepalese officials besides giving scholarship to students from Nepal.
Ambassador of Nepal in Pakistan Bala B. Kunwar and other experts also spokes on the occasion. The seminar was also attended by a large number of diplomats.