“Pakistan wants peace in the neighbourhood for the development of the entire region,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said during her weekly briefing in Islamabad.
Referring to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s address at Saarc, in which he called for a dispute-free region, Aslam said, “The prime minister in his address to the Saarc summit also stressed the need for focusing more on public welfare than on arms.”
With analysts have blaming Saarc’s failure on the mutual mistrust between Pakistan and regional powerhouse India, the foreign office spokesperson stated that Pakistan played a constructive role in negotiations leading up to the Saarc summit and actively participated in the Saarc standing committee and council of ministers.
“The host country also appreciated Pakistan's constructive role,” she said.
Further, the spokesperson said Prime Minister Nawaz held meetings with six Saarc leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
Responding to a question regarding the Indian home minister's allegations against Pakistan, Aslam said, “Unsubstantiated allegations will not lead to resolution of any problem.”
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to counter terrorism, she said, “We have paid more price in blood and money than any other country to counter terrorism,”emphasising that all regional countries need to cooperate to fight this menace.
Shifting her focus to relations with the United States, Aslam said Pakistan has a very comprehensive and constructive engagement with the US.
“Both countries discuss their convergences and divergences on issues at bilateral meetings,” she said.
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@Libra: @abreez
And yet - per capita of India - USD 1500, of Pakistan - USD 1200. These are average figures. In absolute terms, GDP (nominal) - India 1.8 trillion, Pakistan 235 billion, GDP (PPP) - India 6.7 trillion, Pakistan 835 billion
Why are you even trying to compare? "Millions and millions" - true, even truer in case of Pakistan. And, on top of that, a basket case, with a begging bowl for hands!
@abreez: and everyone gives us strength.
Population clock of world’s biggest poverty: 1,266,728,200
come to think of it pakistan has been able to give a presentable spin on its ideas through presentable spokes person. Does any body take second look at Syed Akbaruddin
@Libra: When did you last check the relative per-capita incomes of the two nations? The killing fields in the region is Tharparkar - where tens of thousands die each year of hunger and thirst. India has left Pakistan far behind in prosperity and the gap is only growing.
The Express Tribune is highly selective when it comes to my comments, but I appreciate and accept its editorial privilege. Good relations between countries as between individuals derive from good behaviour on both sides. Someone said if you rear snakes in your backyard do not expect that they will bite only your neighbours. Some of those snakes have started biting their keepers. But when the neighbours are bitten, surely they cannot go on with business as usual. One needs to make sure that snakes are not reared. When India sees that no snakes are being reared in Pakistan, that will be time for India to think of good relations with Pakistan. The spokesperson’s kind words are welcome but we do not see that there is a constituency in Pakistan for good relations with India. V. C. Bhutani, Delhi, 27 Nov 2014, 1757 IST
Pakistan wants peace in the region. India has a history of nagging and mocking with peace and prosperity. India has millions and millions of hungry, naked, unruly and homeless population, but their leadership is unable and incapable to see and resolve their plight.