File photo of Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. PHOTO: AFP
The Foreign Affairs Minister stated this in a written reply concerning overall progress on the Kashmir issue.
Khar dismissed allegations regarding the recent incidents that occurred near Line of Control (LoC). “We've no such record that our security forces opened fires on two Indian soldiers killed earlier this year,” she said.
"The incidents can not derail our commitment with India to promote peace in the region," Khar stated despite the hostile statements issued by the Indian leadership and aggression by the Indian security forces.
The foreign minister explained that the government is ready to work with United Nations Military Observer Group (UNMOG) to carry out an independent inquiry into the alleged ceasefire violation.
Linking the violation to terrorism Khar said, "Terrorism is not only our issue...it's India’s too."
On Thursday, Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde pointed at Pakistan for involvement in Wednesday’s attack in Srinagar that resulted in the death two terrorists and five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.
Foreign policy recap
The foreign minister at a news conference gave an overview of the challenged faced by the ministry and how they were overcome in the past five years.
Khar said that the foreign policy was driven by confidence rather than fear. She added the priority of the foreign policy has been to provide peaceful and stable regional environment so that people focus on internal growth and stability rather than border disputes.
In the regional context, she particularly referred to the historic Gwadar Port agreement and the Chinese investment in energy and infrastructure projects.
"China has been our strategic ally and the present government focused on transferring politically strong relations into economically strong ties.”
Khar acknowledged that the ministry was disappointed with the Pakistan-India relations and termed the hostile statements from India on cross LoC incidents unfortunate.
"Pakistan wants resolution of Kashmir dispute but there was not required level of trust at the moment for resolution of the issue through dialogue."
Ties with Afghanistan
Speaking about Afghanistan, she said that they want Pakistan to cooperate in the talks with Taliban, Ulema conference and release of Taliban prisoners.
“We aspire for no role in Afghanistan than to facilitate Afghan people on the course chosen by them for peace and reconciliation,” Khar said.
US relations
Khar then moved onto the ties between the US and Pakistan. She said that the engagement was guided by the Parliament and is based on mutual respect.
"Our engagement is guided by the Parliament and is based on mutual respect".
She further said that both the countries ‘recognise each other's importance and have complete alignment of interests in Afghanistan.’
The Minister also referred to initiation of strategic dialogue with GCC countries and focus on improving economic ties with the Russian Federation.
She hoped that the European Union would grant GSP Plus status to Pakistan in the beginning of next year, which will give a boost the exports of Pakistan.
Replying to a question, regarding the involvement of the defence ministry in foreign affairs, she said that although military has no constitutional role, it is consulted for its input on issues relating to security and defence.
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Pak-U.S relations based on mutual respect blah blah blah. What "mutual respect" is there when the U.S repeatedly Drone bombs Pakistan in the face of its protests? What a bizarre country Pakistan is..
The LOC incidents may not derail the Indo-Pak peace talks - although that is not the sense I got from MMS' most recent statement and the cool reception your PM got on his personal trip.. However your parliament's official support for a man convicted of bombing the Indian parliament most definitely will derail the talks because It shows that you are back to the days of using jihad as an instrument of foreign policy.
What kind of peace this lady seeking with India ?
were they on track for past 15 yrs?? any tangible development on ground? any resolution of any small dispute??
@Raj - USA:
"On the other often repeated call for plebiscite, sooner or later a day shall come when the UN shall have a plebiscite in Kashmir, but only in Azad Kashmir region, to determine if Azad Kashmir wants to become truly Azad Kashmir or remain in Pakistan’s control."
Do you live in Disney Land, USA?
A simple question for Ms HRK: Exactly who is running Pakistan? Is it the GOP, establishment, rouge elements within the establishment, State and/or non State actors or the unknown.
@Raj - USA: Please do try and have a go - you can then kiss your major cities good bye.
It is already derailed.
Earlier, Pakistan's army was pushing the non-state actors to the Indian side. Now, the government, though they may not want any infiltration, is unable to stop the non-state actors infiltrating to the Indian side because there are factions within the army that are still supporting such infiltration and also that the non-state actors are, to a good extent, out of control of both their army and the government. So, such infiltrations will go on. At an opportune time, India shall retaliate with full force. The world is no longer buying the excuse from Pakistan that it is the non-state actors as this stance has been misused by Pakistan for many years. If Pakistan government or its army cannot control its non-state actors, those affected shall move in within Pakistan to control and eliminate these non-state actors. This is an established principle in today's world. Old reasoning and excuses have no place. Similarly, Pakistan's often repeated call for UNMOG will also become a reality. Only that, at that time the UNMOG will be within Pakistan's side of Kashmir, not in India's Kashmir region. Pakistan has the habit, solely due to its ignorance and narrow understanding, to catch on to one phrase and keep repeating it over and over, until it itself is caught and gets trapped in its own stance or utterances. On the other often repeated call for plebiscite, sooner or later a day shall come when the UN shall have a plebiscite in Kashmir, but only in Azad Kashmir region, to determine if Azad Kashmir wants to become truly Azad Kashmir or remain in Pakistan's control.
She is the best FM Pakistan has ever had.
What peace and what ties with India? If minor incidents can swing matters so far, then we really have no real ties and no real peace process. Better to give up on this fiction - the Indians are not interested in "making peace", they are only interested in imposing their will and their way. So end this facade and focus on more important issues.
no no no Loc violations means no relation
You are mistaken madam as a few more incidents can derail talks. Mind you, general elections are due in India next year and soft pedaling with Pakistan may cost dearly for the ruling party.
LOC can not derail Pak - India peace; so let us go deeper, go to Srinagar and do it.