Pakistan on Thursday said it has no intention to join arms race in the region, however warned to respond with full force in case of any external threat against its sovereignty.
“Pakistan is not willing to be part of arms race, unless it is compelled to take steps for its defence,” the Foreign Office spokesman said at a weekly press briefing, in response to a question on recent handing over of a batch of Rafale fighter jets by France to India. Dr Faisal called upon the world not to push the region towards freaking competition of buying arms, adding that the main focus of Pakistan government is development of its education and health sectors. He said any country with nefarious designs against Pakistan should be mindful of the befitting response by its air force on February 26, when it downed two Indian fighter aircraft on violation of its airspace. “We know how to defend ourselves, may it be Rafale on the other end or whatsoever,” he said.
On Kartarpur Corridor, the spokesman said the project is expected to be completed as per schedule time with work underway on a fast pace, adding the date of opening is yet to be finalised. He said the opening will be on time as committed by Prime Minister Imran Khan, adding that formal invitation has been sent to former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh to attend the birth anniversary celebrations of founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak.
To a question if Prime Minister Imran Khan is going to visit Saudi Arabia and Iran, the spokesman said the possibility of the visit to both countries is on the cards.
On Pakistan’s expectations out of the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to India, he said since it is a bilateral matter, he will not comment on the issue. China has already stated its clear position through a joint communiqué during the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing, he said, when asked about significance of the visit in relation to Kashmir issue.
Dr Faisal said as Indian atrocities in the occupied valley continue, Pakistan is making efforts to highlight the issue on every international avenue and forum. “This is a persistent and consistent pattern of efforts, and Pakistan will never inch back from raising voice for the eight million Kashmiris who have been confined under continuous communication lockdown and curfew,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts have cornered India who has no way left to justify its wrongs in the valley.
On prospects of resumption of the stalled process of SAARC (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation), he said dates are being worked out after the Indian objection raised during the SAARC ministerial council of foreign ministers’ consultative meeting held on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly was vacated.
The spokesman said Pakistan appreciates Turkey’s role in finding a viable solution to the conflict in Syria and acknowledges its humanitarian efforts of hosting 3.5 million Syrian refugees on its soil. He said Pakistan recognises Turkey’s legitimate security concerns in the region and stressed that a political solution to the Syrian conflict be reached at the earliest, taking into account concerns of all regional stakeholders.
On reports of blocking the nomination of Saad Khattak as high commissioner to Sri Lanka, he declined to comment on what was discussed in the cabinet meeting. “As far as the ambassadorial postings are concerned, these are made by following a well-established set of procedure,” he stressed.
