ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan is a sovereign state and does not take dictation from the US on any national issue of the country, saying Pakistan would never accept Indian interference in its internal matters.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi while giving briefing to NA Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs in Foreign Office on Tuesday said that the government represented the nation on issues of Kerry-Lugar bill and drones attacks.
The meeting of Foreign Affairs Committee was held with Chairman Asfandyar Wali Khan in chair.
The foreign minister briefed the committee on the issues pertaining to Pak-Afghan relations, new US Policy for the region, Pak-India relations, investigation on Mumbai attacks, war against terrorism and main aspects of country’s foreign policy.
Foreign Minister Querashi said that there were serious implications of the new US Afghanistan Strategy for Pakistan . As a result of the military serge there could be more violence in Afghanistan which could in turn, result in further influx of militants and refugees from Afghanistan into Pakistan. Accordingly Pakistan and and US were engaged in consultations as well as enhance border control.
Foreign Ministry also apprised that committee of Pakistan’s “REDLINE” especially under scoring that Pakistan would neither accept foreign boots on it’s soil nor extension of drone attacks.
In this regard the foreign ministry underlined that Pakistan strongly believed that drone attacks were counter productive and unhelpful in our joint efforts towards winning hearts and minds. The foreign ministry stressed that for the first time the nation was united against terrorism.
The chairman and the member of the committee raised several points and questions. They emphasized that Pakistan had legitimate interest and that the US and other key countries should take full cognizance of them.
The chairman of the committee thanked for foreign Ministry for the briefing. The committee decide to convene another meeting early next month to discuss othr important issues facing Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Members of the committee on the condition of anonymity told Shah Mehmood Qureshi on the occasion said that India does not want to resume the negotiations process with Pakistan owing to its internal issues and Pakistan would not beg from India for the start of negotiation process.
He said that Pakistan contributed much as compare to India on inquiry of Mumbai attacks and shared information but linking terrorism to revival of talks by India unjustified.
Qureshi said international community and US have been informed regarding activities of Indian consulates in Afghanistan.
The foreign minister during the meeting informed that India has four consulates in Afghanistan not 14 while Pakistan has also four consulates, adding the involvement of Indian consulates were seen in Balochistan and different areas of Pakistan.
He said that Pakistan suggested to fencing Pak-Afghan border to stop the movement of terrorists.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the administration of the United States has assured that Pakistan’s military and political leadership would be taken onboard on new US policy on Afghanistan. He said that the US has been told that the new Afghan policy could lead to accelerated violence.
He said that Pakistan would not compromise on its national interests and keeping national prestige on priority while talking with the United States. He said that we would not allow expansion of US attacks in Quetta and neither would allow foreign forces to operate inside our borders
Commenting on Pakistan’s nuclear assets, the foreign minister said that the entire world community including the United States know very well that its (Pakistan) nuclear arsenals are in safe hand and there are no chances for militants to access assets.
Responding to questions of members of the committee, the foreign minister said that Pakistan would increase security on its border with Afghanistan in case of arrival of 30,000 US troops in the worn torn country. "The NATO has been asked to increase its checkposts in Afghanistan", he added.
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