ISLAMABAD: Pakistan asked Iran on Friday to provide proof that if it has evidence that elements from Pakistan are involved in terrorist activities in neighbouring country rather than hurling accusations.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said on Friday, “We believe that if Iran has evidence that elements from Pakistan are involved in activities against Iran, they should share it with us.”
Addressing the weekly briefing at the ministry of foreign affairs, Aslam said Pakistan and Iran are located in a region which has seen turbulence and there might incidents of cross border activities or other transnational crimes like narcotic and drug trafficking.
The spokesperson claimed that according to the information that Pakistan have, these incidents took place inside Iranian territory by Iranians and that is corroborated by their own accounts. “It is not helpful to externalise problems,” said Aslam.
She added that Pakistan and Iran have border mechanisms including Border Management Committee, which can help investigating such events as it was done in the past when the Iranian guards were kidnapped and released inside Iran.
Aslam further said if Iran sought Pakistan’s sought the border management committee can meet and investigate the matter. “We are very clear that we will not allow our territory to be used against any other country,” the spokesperson added.
On Thursday Second-in-command of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Hossein Salami warned that if any neighbouring country fails to fulfill their obligation to protect their border than Iran will have no choice but to act on its own.
Ebola
Responding to a query regarding the precautionary measures adopted by Pakistani Missions in Africa against the spread of Ebola virus, Aslam said it is not the whole of Africa that has been affected by the deadly virus and Pakistani Missions are observing the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation and the respective local governments.
She added that Pakistan have peacekeepers in Liberia working under the UN umbrella and following guidelines set by the UN for Peacekeepers.
Pakistan-India border tension
Replying to a question regarding Pakistan’s efforts to take the diplomatic community including P-5 countries in confidence over the Pak-India border tension, Aslam said briefings were held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for P-5 Ambassadors and for heads of all the other Missions in Islamabad and these were very well attended meetings.
The Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs’ letter was also circulated as a UN Security Council document and Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN also met with UN officials, said Aslam.
“Since first of October, for about fourteen days, there was unprovoked firing and shelling by India on the LoC and Working Boundary. Twelve civilians were killed and 52 people were injured,” the spokesperson added.
Safe heavens
Responding to a question regarding the address of US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan back in Washington that terror sanctuaries discovered in Miramshah and Mir Ali, Aslam said, “As regards the safe heavens, we have to go back in history; how did these people come here and how did they land in Pakistan.” She claimed that when the US military operation started in Afghanistan in November 2001, many of these people fled across the border.
Referring to on going military operation in mountainous region of the country, Aslam said Pakistan is taking action against all the miscreants, first and foremost, in our national interest to protect our own citizens and country.
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment against are against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the spokesperson said Pakistan is determined not to allow its territory to be used against any other country and at the same time expect that “other countries would also not allow their territories to be used against Pakistan. It is a two way responsibility.”
Sartaj Aziz to visit Afghanistan
The Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz will visit Kabul on October 19, 2014 as the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister.
According to a statement issued by the ministry, the purpose of the Aziz’s visit is to convey Prime Minister’s formal invitation to Afghan President Asharf Ghani to visit Pakistan.
The envoy will also hold discussions with regard to the timing and preparations of the visit of the Afghan President.
Aziz would also meet with the Afghan national security adviser and exchange views on bilateral and regional issues.
The Adviser’s visit is part of Pakistan’s substantive engagement with the new Afghan leadership.
Earlier, President Mamnoon Hussain had visited Kabul to attend the swearing-in ceremony on September 29, 2014 and held meetings with Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.
COMMENTS (30)
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The only evidence admissible is the Selfies of Terrorists, and certified by them to be true.
Otherwise, the evidence will be dismissed as the product of their Iranian Film industry.
Indians are so obsessed with Pakistan.
It seems Indians have nothing to do but troll Pakistani websites
The corrupt mullahs of Iran will be over soon.
Hopefully there will be a democratic and more open government there soon, and along with Afghanistan under Ghani, Indian proxies will be neutralised from ourwestern border.
So much for "brotherly" Iran - US seems like a more reliable partner compared to them!
It is very easy to make flippant statements about border incursions, and who is responsible, However, people with ideas of militancy are illegally entering, or attempting to enter Australia, the US, UK, France, Italy Iraq. Syria, India, Turkey, Libya, just to name a few. From reading most of the low value submissions so far one could be forgiven for thinking all of the chaos stretching from Libya to the Sub-Continent is Pakistan's fault. In case the penny has not dropped for many, I would suggest that the Sub-Continent region will be subject to militant activity, and cross-border incidents for a long time to come. Perhaps the Pakistan Government could lift its game, but show me a government in its general area, and elsewhere, who does not need to.
@borderline: We have mechanisms in place to deal with issues on that border, set up with the Iranians. Iran should use these, and present their evidence, so that our security forces know how to proceed effectively.
@Paki-indi. Then how was the most wanted person found there ? Close to.. You know who.. Why is UN,Usa, india,uk,Australia,Japan,Russia banned organisation still working there let Jud? How is a person banned and who has $million dollar bounty on his head roaming free in your country and media channels giving interview (Hafeez)?
Cautious and numbers still reiterating there ongoing nonsense, but supported by the unthinking masses.
Bullets flying....what more evidence do you need ?
if Pakistan is really interested in its welfare, it should honestly look at its loopholes and mistakes without asking for evidence. A court needs evidence to punish the guilty. However if I know where exactly I am making mistake I dont need evidence to correct it. It just needs self analysis. Pakistan situation is also same.
@vasan:: Are you out of your mind? Pakistan is peace loving and never threatens any neighborly brotherly countries. Pakistan doesn't give excuses... case in point, look at Pak Army busy getting rid of terrorists from its Western borders. Pakistan is going to get ride of all terrorists not just good or bad... like they have been falsely accused by the unfriendly neighboring countries. Pakistan has no problems. It is the Land of the Pure which has been a victim of terrorism, flooding, earthquakes, and just the worst geopolitical position in the midst of South Asia.
India, supposedly, gave a lot of convincing evidence to Pakistan of 26/11 Bombay rampage. To what avail? Iran has been wise in learning it's lesson about providing evidence to Pakistan.
The whole world especially Pak neighbours are totally fed up of hearing stereo-type replies on cross-border violations which would serve little purpose in diffusing this major issue. Diplomacy only works with civilised countries but not with Pakistan as massive response given by India recently and now followed by Iran is the only mean left to deal with a rogue country
Pakistan has problems with Iran, Afghanistan and India. Give it time and Pakistan will start having problems with the Arabian Sea.
Standard problems from Pakistan,. Standard threats by neighbours, Standard excuses by Pakistan. When will all this end? When will Pakistan solve its problems and become a normal country??
Why bother providing evidence? Pakistan will deny it anyway. Iran must do what it has to do. Every single neighbor of Pakistan accuses it of fomenting terrorism. Even China says that Pakistan-based terrorists are active in Xinjiang by training the Uighurs.
Iran can provide the evidence. But do you have the capacity to analyze and act on that evidence? Going by your track record, just doesn't seem that you have that capacity.
Even if Iran provides incontrovertible evidence, Pakistan will accuse them of stage-managing the attacks themselves so that they can blame Pakistan. When has Pakistan ever accepted guilt?
Where have we heard this song before?
Oh, right.. After Mumbai attacks. Attack planned and executed from within Pakistani Territory, Pakistan is asking for evidence from others!!
Iran: please note that even if you provide genuine evidence Pakisstan will not accept it. This is based on our experience. So sod what you think is best to protect your own country.
Even if Iran presents proof, what would be the use of it? Pakistan never acts. India has first hand experience of it.
As always, the same stance. Provide evidence while everyone else keeps hitting the country like a punching bag. We as a people have lost any and all value of being proud as a nation. We make world's largest flags to show patriotism but if you really think about it, its all just for show, We REALLY have no love for our country nor for people living inside.
Last week i saw an interview of Mr Faisal Muhammed an EU Based Diplomatic Mediator he warned that an Proxy war could be started in Pakistan Iran Afghanistan will start Border violation very soon. Is Pakistani Authorities are sleeping ?
If Pakistan allows Iran to come in and collect it, they would be able to give it
Always asking others to provide evidence instead of making own house in order. Iran has been warning repeatedly to them that there are suspected terrorist movements going on from cross border as ever all went in vein. These same terrorists are killing Hazara people in Quetta, but no action has been taken yet.
I blame India ...
The current Iranian leadership suddenly got good relations with US and bad relations with Pakistan. Lessons to learn.
This shows the weak Border Policies of Pakistan.
Wow, standard FO denial press release! PAKISTAN asks (fill in the blank) to provide proof that if it has evidence that elements from Pakistan are involved in terrorist activities in neighboring country.....!!!! PAKISTAN is determined not to allow its territories to be used against any other country, however all Good TALIBAN "assets" tourist visas will be still honored!!
“We are very clear that we will not allow our territory to be used against any other country,” . Every neighbor of Pakistan has the same complaint .. your rhetoric no longer convinces anyone.