Pakistan seeking US cooperation on civil nuclear energy

FO spokesperson says Pakistan ready for unconditional talks with India

Pakistan said on Thursday it is seeking cooperation of the international community, including the US, on civil nuclear energy.

“There should be non-discriminatory approach on nuclear issues, including access to peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said during his weekly briefing in Islamabad.

“Pakistan is producing nuclear energy to meet its energy demands,” he added.

Read: Curbs on nuclear programme ruled out

Khalilullah’s statement comes a day after in an opinion piece published by The Washington Post, US journalist David Ignatius claimed that Washington is exploring possible new limits and controls on Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and delivery systems. Such an accord, he wrote, may eventually open a path toward a Pakistani version of the civil nuclear deal that was launched with India in 2015.

Ready for unconditional talks with India

Further, Khalilullah said Pakistan is ready for talks with India but pre-conditions are not acceptable.

“Pakistan has never shied away from talks with New Delhi and we have insisted for negotiations on all issues, including the core dispute of Kashmir,” the FO spokesperson said.

Read: Lawmaker beaten up for hosting 'beef party' in Indian Kashmir

Further, Khalilullah claimed that the four-point initiative presented by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the United Nations General Assembly is the way forward for reducing tensions and resolution of the outstanding disputes between the two neighbouring countries.

“The purpose of handing over dossiers to the UN secretary general was to inform him about the Indian involvement in fomenting terrorism in Pakistan,” the official said in his response to a question, adding that the country will continue to apprise the UN about its concerns in this regard in the future as well.

Regarding the recent upsurge in violence over cow-slaughtering in India, the spokesperson said the country which claims to be a secular state should guarantee basic rights to its minorities. “Attacks on Muslims on the issue of cow-slaughtering are beyond comprehension and a cause of concern for the Muslim Ummah,” he added.

Read: Pakistan to maintain full spectrum nuclear deterrence: FO

FO rejects allegations of involvement in Kunduz attack

Khalilullah also strongly rejected allegations that Pakistani agencies were involved in Kunduz attack in Afghanistan, saying Pakistan condemns the occupation of Afghan territory by any group.

“We are in touch with Afghan authorities to restore a trust level between the two countries,” the FO spokesperson said and added that Pakistan has not only supported the intra Afghan dialogue process but also hosted the first rout of talks in Murree.

Read: Pakistan Army rejects reports of involvement in Kunduz attack

Meanwhile, the spokesperson said Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. “We will not tolerate the presence of Daish [Islamic State militant group] or any of its associated groups on our land,” he added.

About the Russian airstrikes in Syria, the spokesperson said Pakistan has a principled position on the issue based on neutrality, impartiality, and respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria. “The government and the opposition groups should settle their matters peacefully.”

On Mina tragedy, the official said all-out efforts are being made to locate the missing Pakistani pilgrims, adding 89 Pakistanis were martyred and five others wounded in the Hajj stampede.

“The Saudi authorities have extended full cooperation to Pakistan in identification of martyrs and the finding of missing pilgrims,” he said.