Pakistan To Take Up US Drone Strikes With Kerry

Islamabad, July 6, IRNA – Pakistanˈs foreign ministry said here Friday that the issue of the US drone attacks will be raised with the US Secretary of State John Kerry, who will visit Pakistan later this month. Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary said at his weekly briefing that exact date and agenda of the visit are being finalized by the two countries. In response to another question he said the US drone strikes constitute breach of Pakistanˈs sovereignty, violation of international law and human rights besides being counter-productive to the fight against terror. ˈThe issue has been taken up with the United States and it will also be taken up again in upcoming contacts with the United States,ˈ Chaudhary said. Asked about coup in Egypt, the spokesman said Pakistan has been following events in Egypt and hoped that Egyptians would deal with the situation in a democratic manner. He said Pakistan is pursuing a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, but it stresses the values of democracy and aspirations of the people that should always be upheld. Asked to comment on Afghan Army Chiefˈs statement accusing Pakistan of controlling Taliban, the spokesman said Pakistan is sincere in its efforts to see peace and stability in Afghanistan. “The best route to achieve peace and stability is robust reconciliation process for which Pakistan is willing to extend every possible help,” he added. Chaudhary hoped that sincerity of Pakistan will be appreciated and reciprocated and negative statements avoided. The spokesman said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has sent a former senior diplomat to India as part of the track-II diplomacy. He said former Foreign Secretary Shahryar Ahmad Khan had been asked by the Prime Minister to conduct Track-II diplomacy and he is already in India for the purpose. ˈThe diplomacy has always been part of overall peace process with India, complementing and supporting efforts for peace wherever possible,” Chaudhary added. When sought his comments on reports of Indian Border Security Force facilitating militants entering Pakistan, he said the two countries have border management mechanism and contact each other when need arises. He, however, said Pakistan expects that its policy of having good neighbourly relations with India would be reciprocated from the other side. The spokesman said Pakistan and China have signed eight agreements and MoUs during visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to that country. These include MoU for Pak-China Economic Corridor which envisages establishment of ministerial level joint cooperation committee and joint working groups for formulating long-term plan for economic corridor and promoting infrastructure. Other documents signed today include agreement on economic and technical cooperation, letter of exchange on anti-polio equipment; letter of exchange for bilateral training course on textile management and flood relief; MoU on cooperation between Communist Party of China and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League(PML-N); cooperation between Chinese Centre for Contemporary World Study and Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad; agreement on laying of Pakistan-China cross border cable system and agreement between Punjab Government and ZTE company of China./end