Chinese president will soon visit Pakistan, reiterates FO
Tasnim Aslam recalled Chinese president’s remarks that he was looking forward to visiting Pakistan
ISLAMABAD:
The Foreign Office on Thursday said that the Chinese President will visit Pakistan soon.
During the weekly briefing, FO spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said that the Chinese President Xi Jinping had expressed his desire to visit Pakistan at an early date during last week’s meeting with Sartaj Aziz in Dushanbe.
“We should, therefore, not be concerned in this regard. The visit will take place as soon as possible. The two governments are in touch.”
Asked if foreign diplomats had met with Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, the FO spokesperson said she was not aware of any such meeting. "I am not aware of any permission being sought [for such a meeting]."
"Generally, there is a principle, unrelated to this episode, how our missions work abroad; they do keep in touch with various segments of society and so do other missions here. We very scrupulously avoid any interference in their internal matters and we expect the same from others."
Afghan diplomat summoned
In response to a query about allegations of cross-border attacks levelled by Afghanistan, Aslam said Pakistan was a mature country, and did not think every baseless allegation deserved a response.
“But we do put our record straight. We issued a statement on September 16, as well as condemned the September 17 attack from Afghanistan in North Waziristan,” she said, adding that protest had been lodged with Afghanistan by summoning an Afghan diplomat of undisclosed rank.
“We have lodged a protest and we have asked Afghanistan in very categorical terms to eliminate the terrorist sanctuaries that have taken root in Afghanistan.”
Asked about the Pakistani journalist currently being tried in Afghanistan, Aslam said the "case is now in appeal."
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has once again hired a lawyer to take up his appeal in the High Court. This is going to be only one hearing in which the decision to his appeal will be given, that is why the lawyer and the concerned officials are proceeding with care."
The spokesperson added that the case was due to be heard on September 16, but the court had deferred it. The next hearing is expected within the next fortnight.
"Our Embassy has also requested the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for private meetings to facilitate the case."
Flood assistance
When asked if any country, apart from India and China had extended assistance for flood affectees, Alsam said Pakistan had not launched a formal international appeal for aid.
"We have not launched any appeal. But a number of countries have offered and given assistance which is generally through the UN organisations like World Food Program, UNICEF and others."
UNGA sessions
The FO spokesperson remained non-committal about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to New York to attend the UNGA sessions.
"As regards the high level 69th Session of General Assembly, details are still being worked out and once we have a decision we will share it."
Alsam said that UN General Assembly sessions are one of most important forum where world leaders gather to consider issues of peace and security, economic development, environmental issues etc. "It has been a longstanding practice to participate in the high level segment of UN general assembly at the leadership level and to make a policy statement which projects Pakistan’s perspective on vital issues of our interest."
Asked about a possible meeting with Indian counterparts on the sidelines of the UNGA, the spokesperson answered vaguely that the occasion is utilised to meet with other world leaders.
"Whenever Pakistani leadership attends the UNGA session, the occasion is utilised to interact with other world leaders."
Earlier, Aslam provided details about a wall being built by the French Embassy in Islamabad.
"French Embassy was allowed to build a wall on the perimeters of the mission. Somehow, the wall was being built outside and therefore, the work has been stopped. CDA and the French Embassy are in contact."
The Foreign Office on Thursday said that the Chinese President will visit Pakistan soon.
During the weekly briefing, FO spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said that the Chinese President Xi Jinping had expressed his desire to visit Pakistan at an early date during last week’s meeting with Sartaj Aziz in Dushanbe.
“We should, therefore, not be concerned in this regard. The visit will take place as soon as possible. The two governments are in touch.”
Asked if foreign diplomats had met with Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, the FO spokesperson said she was not aware of any such meeting. "I am not aware of any permission being sought [for such a meeting]."
"Generally, there is a principle, unrelated to this episode, how our missions work abroad; they do keep in touch with various segments of society and so do other missions here. We very scrupulously avoid any interference in their internal matters and we expect the same from others."
Afghan diplomat summoned
In response to a query about allegations of cross-border attacks levelled by Afghanistan, Aslam said Pakistan was a mature country, and did not think every baseless allegation deserved a response.
“But we do put our record straight. We issued a statement on September 16, as well as condemned the September 17 attack from Afghanistan in North Waziristan,” she said, adding that protest had been lodged with Afghanistan by summoning an Afghan diplomat of undisclosed rank.
“We have lodged a protest and we have asked Afghanistan in very categorical terms to eliminate the terrorist sanctuaries that have taken root in Afghanistan.”
Asked about the Pakistani journalist currently being tried in Afghanistan, Aslam said the "case is now in appeal."
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has once again hired a lawyer to take up his appeal in the High Court. This is going to be only one hearing in which the decision to his appeal will be given, that is why the lawyer and the concerned officials are proceeding with care."
The spokesperson added that the case was due to be heard on September 16, but the court had deferred it. The next hearing is expected within the next fortnight.
"Our Embassy has also requested the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for private meetings to facilitate the case."
Flood assistance
When asked if any country, apart from India and China had extended assistance for flood affectees, Alsam said Pakistan had not launched a formal international appeal for aid.
"We have not launched any appeal. But a number of countries have offered and given assistance which is generally through the UN organisations like World Food Program, UNICEF and others."
UNGA sessions
The FO spokesperson remained non-committal about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to New York to attend the UNGA sessions.
"As regards the high level 69th Session of General Assembly, details are still being worked out and once we have a decision we will share it."
Alsam said that UN General Assembly sessions are one of most important forum where world leaders gather to consider issues of peace and security, economic development, environmental issues etc. "It has been a longstanding practice to participate in the high level segment of UN general assembly at the leadership level and to make a policy statement which projects Pakistan’s perspective on vital issues of our interest."
Asked about a possible meeting with Indian counterparts on the sidelines of the UNGA, the spokesperson answered vaguely that the occasion is utilised to meet with other world leaders.
"Whenever Pakistani leadership attends the UNGA session, the occasion is utilised to interact with other world leaders."
Earlier, Aslam provided details about a wall being built by the French Embassy in Islamabad.
"French Embassy was allowed to build a wall on the perimeters of the mission. Somehow, the wall was being built outside and therefore, the work has been stopped. CDA and the French Embassy are in contact."