Pakistan asks Iran to provide evidence of cross-border activity
Sartaj Aziz to visit Kabul on October 19, extend Nawaz's invitation to Ashraf Ghani to visit Pakistan
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.
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.