Pakistan to examine Iran’s naval alliance proposal

FO confirms receiving US’ request for consular access to May 9 detainees

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Thursday said it would examine the proposal floated by Iran with regard to forming an Indian Ocean Naval Alliance aimed at ensuring collective maritime security.

Iranian Naval Chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani had proposed the alliance comprising Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India and Pakistan.

“We have seen that statement and we will examine any proposal when it comes to Pakistan. At this stage, we are not in a position to comment on a statement which has been made,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told her weekly news briefing.

The proposal, if executed, would be one of the most important regional security initiatives after the China-mediated rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March this year. According to the reports, China may have an important role to play in the proposed maritime alliance.

China has emerged a key player in the Middle East politics with brokering a landmark deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson said Pakistan would follow its laws and international obligations while taking up the cases of individuals responsible for the events of May 9.

Responding to a question about the US State Department's request about the provision of consular access to a suspect of May9 vandalism, Khadija Shah, and requests considering other dual nationals who have been detained, the spokesperson said that requests have been received and forwarded to the Ministry of Interior.

The spokesperson was asked "whether the government of Pakistan is willing to provide consular access to her and any other person because many dual nationals are involved in the unfortunate incidents of 9th May".

The spokesperson was further asked that many suspects of May 9 incidents had either fled the country or were hiding abroad as they hold dual nationalities, and whether Pakistan was seeking their custody or any access to those who have fled this country.

To this, Baloch replied, "On both your questions, I would like to underline that Pakistan will follow its laws and its international obligations, in bringing to justice individuals responsible for the events of 9th May. We have received the requests that you have mentioned, and those requests have been sent from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Ministry of Interior, which takes final decision in such cases".

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She reiterated her previous stance, stressing that "the characters involved in the events of May 9 are being brought to justice according to the law".

"Pakistan is a country governed by the Constitution and law. Basic rights are available to all citizens in Pakistan," she added, "the government of Pakistan is fulfilling all local laws and international commitments."

Baloch once again rejected "baseless allegations of human rights violations in Pakistan".

The US had called on Pakistan to grant consular access to Khadija Shah, a prominent fashion designer with dual citizenship who has been detained in the wave of arrests that happened in the aftermath of May 9 protests.

The US State Department had said its diplomats have not had access to Shah who was produced before an anti-terrorism court following her arrest.

"We have asked Pakistani officials for consular access to her," State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel had told reporters, confirming Shah's dual nationality.

"Whenever a US citizen is arrested overseas, we stand ready to provide all appropriate assistance and we expect Pakistani authorities to respect all fair-trial guarantees owed to these detainees," Patel had said.

To another question, the spokesperson said some Afghan nationals could be under detention because of the May 9 incident. “These reports are being verified and in case of their involvement in subversive activities, the law of Pakistan will take its course,” she added.