Pakistan says no favourites in the White House race
Foreign ministry says Islamabad is willing to work with whomsoever occupies the Oval Office.
ISLAMABAD:
The government has chosen not to take sides and said that Pakistan has no favourites in the upcoming US presidential elections — it is willing to work with whosoever makes it to the White House.
While a recent poll conducted by the BBC of a select few countries found Pakistan as the only country which prefers to see Republican US presidential candidate Mitt Romney win the November polls, the government decided to stay neutral.
“Of course elections are their internal matter and it is for the people of the US to decide who they want to see in the government from 2013 onwards,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Moazzam Ali Khan told reporters on Thursday.
Khan said relationship between Pakistan and the US were broad based and they would continue to grow further irrespective of who wins the race to the White House.
“Whosoever will be elected, will be congratulated by the president of Pakistan,” the spokesman replied when asked about Islamabad’s preference.
Responding to another query, the spokesperson rejected the assessment made by Republican candidate Mitt Romney that Pakistan’s security establishment was calling the shots in the country.
“We have a fully functioning democracy in Pakistan, with the prime minister as the chief executive, and all institutions, I repeat all institutions, come under the prime minister,” he asserted.
Durand Line controversy
Khan endorsed the recent remarks made by US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Marc Grossman that the Durand Line is an international border between the two neighbours.
His statement invited strong reactions from the Afghan administration, which questioned the legitimacy of the Durand line — the 1,600 mile long border that separates Pakistan and Afghanistan.
However, the spokesperson insisted that the Durand Line was a “closed and settled” issue as far as Pakistan was concerned. “We regard it as the recognised international border, and the international community also recognises it so,” he maintained.
Khan attempted to dispel the impression that relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan were going through a difficult patch. “We feel that there are some issues and we both want to address those issues, as it is in our common interests to do so. We should handle these issues diplomatically and keep them away from the media,” he said referring to the recent accusations by the Afghan leadership against Pakistan.
He acknowledged that the two neighbours had a difference of opinion on certain issues, but contended their objective was common. “We are both interested in peace and stability in Afghanistan. Terrorism is a common threat to us, and the best way to solve our issues is through dialogue and consultation.”
Khan rejected claims by Afghan officials that Pakistan had yet to provide evidence about the presence of Mullah Fazlullah in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan had already shared the ‘dossier’ on Fazlullah with the Afghan government as well as with the Isaf.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2012.
The government has chosen not to take sides and said that Pakistan has no favourites in the upcoming US presidential elections — it is willing to work with whosoever makes it to the White House.
While a recent poll conducted by the BBC of a select few countries found Pakistan as the only country which prefers to see Republican US presidential candidate Mitt Romney win the November polls, the government decided to stay neutral.
“Of course elections are their internal matter and it is for the people of the US to decide who they want to see in the government from 2013 onwards,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Moazzam Ali Khan told reporters on Thursday.
Khan said relationship between Pakistan and the US were broad based and they would continue to grow further irrespective of who wins the race to the White House.
“Whosoever will be elected, will be congratulated by the president of Pakistan,” the spokesman replied when asked about Islamabad’s preference.
Responding to another query, the spokesperson rejected the assessment made by Republican candidate Mitt Romney that Pakistan’s security establishment was calling the shots in the country.
“We have a fully functioning democracy in Pakistan, with the prime minister as the chief executive, and all institutions, I repeat all institutions, come under the prime minister,” he asserted.
Durand Line controversy
Khan endorsed the recent remarks made by US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Marc Grossman that the Durand Line is an international border between the two neighbours.
His statement invited strong reactions from the Afghan administration, which questioned the legitimacy of the Durand line — the 1,600 mile long border that separates Pakistan and Afghanistan.
However, the spokesperson insisted that the Durand Line was a “closed and settled” issue as far as Pakistan was concerned. “We regard it as the recognised international border, and the international community also recognises it so,” he maintained.
Khan attempted to dispel the impression that relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan were going through a difficult patch. “We feel that there are some issues and we both want to address those issues, as it is in our common interests to do so. We should handle these issues diplomatically and keep them away from the media,” he said referring to the recent accusations by the Afghan leadership against Pakistan.
He acknowledged that the two neighbours had a difference of opinion on certain issues, but contended their objective was common. “We are both interested in peace and stability in Afghanistan. Terrorism is a common threat to us, and the best way to solve our issues is through dialogue and consultation.”
Khan rejected claims by Afghan officials that Pakistan had yet to provide evidence about the presence of Mullah Fazlullah in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan had already shared the ‘dossier’ on Fazlullah with the Afghan government as well as with the Isaf.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2012.