ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam on Thursday refuted statements made by a Nepalese official that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had rejected a bulletproof car provided by India for next week’s summit of South Asian leaders in Kathmandu.
“No vehicle was offered by India, and no offer was declined,” Aslam said.
“We have seen media reports that a vehicle was offered and that the offer was refused. Nothing of this sort happened,” Aslam said at her weekly briefing.
SAARC Summit in Kathmandu
Aslam, in response to a question, said she had nothing to share about the possibility of a bilateral meeting between the prime ministers of Pakistan and India on the sidelines of the summit.
“I can confirm the meeting with the leadership of the host country. Apart from that, I do not have the details of other meetings. During the summit and retreat, leaders do interact,” she added.
Russian Defence Minister arrives in Pakistan
Aslam, during the weekly briefing, also addressed the arrival of Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Islamabad, Radio Pakistan reported.
Express News screengrab of Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
In regard to relations between Pakistan and Russia, the foreign office spokesperson said Pakistan considers Russia as an important global player, which can play a crucial role in regional development and stability.
“Our ties with Moscow are moving in an upward trajectory. Islamabad seeks Moscow’s cooperation for social and economic development,” she said.
Ghani's visit to Pakistan 'successful'
Further, regarding the recent visit of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to Pakistan, Aslam said 42 important decisions – related to economy, trade, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts – were made between both countries.
Aslam said it was a successful visit.
Kashmir issue
Addressing the Kashmir issue, she said Jammu and Kashmir was an established conflict, and the UN Security Council provided a platform to discuss the conflicts.
The foreign office spokesperson said Pakistan urged the UN Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan to play an effective role regarding ceasefire violations.
Additionally, Aslam said Pakistan was a victim of terrorism where around 55,000 people sacrificed their lives.
“Our armed forces have taken action against terrorists without any distinction or discrimination,” she said.
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@wisegirlnextdoor: This sharif administration has a habit of putting their foot in their mouths. Every minister makes up their own statements, never bothering to check what the official policy is. A fine example of incompetence and mismanagement. Now the military has been forced to correct the foreign advisor. Why is there no foreign minister anyway? Incompetent bunch!
@Sneha. I liked your sarcasm and the snarkiness.
Its obvious that FO does not have much to do, except respond to such trivial statements, that too few days late ! This shows as to the level of activity in this particular ministry.
Finally some truth. India never offered any vehicles service to pakistan. Nepal is short on resources so it always buys goods from india when in need. It took cars and commodities from india for its use and paid us. Now it's nepals property. What they do with it and whom they offer it is Nepal's business not ours. Nepal is hosting saarc summit and as per protocol it offered nepal's hotel,car services etc to all country heads. If any country rejects it, its between them and nepal. India has nothing to do with it. This thing about indian car. As far as I know bmw is German car. A car sold by India to Nepal. And now Nepal offering its services. If the services where indeed cancelled for such childish reasons. Then one have to stop eating tomatoes,carrots etc. Who knows which enemy country exported/reexported it to and it lands on your platter. And by that logic many foriegn country MNCs assemble/make in india and sell their products abroad. One must reject that too as it has indian connection to snub india.
Lately it seems the only purpose of this lady and the foreign office in general is to deny every report about the PM/Pres/government, a day after it is released.
India dominate countries in south Asia and has more than 80% of its GDP . India has been Helping Nepal and they are like our own country and therefore, cars were provided by India on behalf of Nepal. Pak never snubbed us, I agree.
“Our armed forces have taken action against terrorists without any distinction or discrimination,” she said. The Foreign Office Spokesperson is contradicting the PM's adviser.
I hope that Russia won't hold Pakistan's involvement in the Afghan-Russia war, which was a major factor for Soviet Union's breakdown, against us and this trajectory moves upward. I wonder what we will do if USA & UN decide to place trade sanctions against Russia, where will the scale of our loyalties tip to?
Statement regarding snubbing India from FO came very late.