ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesman, Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, on Friday said the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers were likely to meet next month in New York, adding that Pakistan had already apprised India of its concern over the situation on the Line of Control (LoC).
Speaking to media representatives at the weekly briefing at the Foreign Office, Chaudhry said all communication channels between the two countries were open.
He expressed the hope that after the prime ministers’ meeting in New York, tensions between Pakistan and India will ease and that the situation on the LoC would normalise.
Shelling and firing has flared along the disputed Kashmir’s de facto border since August 6, when five Indian soldiers were ambushed and killed in a remote district. India blamed Pakistan soldiers for the attack. Islamabad has denied any involvement.
In the latest incident on Thursday, seven civilians, including three women, were injured in Pakistani-administered Kashmir.
The FO spokesman added that Pakistan would not allow the use of its territory for terrorism, a day after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that for India’s relations with Pakistan to improve, it was essential that Islamabad prevent the use of its territory for any anti-India activity.
Referring to US drone attacks on Pakistani territory, Chaudrhy said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon endorsed Pakistan’s stance on the issue.
In his recent visit to Pakistan, Ban said the UN’s position on drone strikes was very clear, adding that these should be in accordance with international law as well as international humanitarian law.
Chaudhry affirmed that the Afghan President Hamid Karzai would be visiting Pakistan later this month. He further stressed Pakistan’s commitment for advancing the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
The FO spokesman moreover stated concern on the escalating tensions in Egypt, where with a month long emergency was ordered by the military on Wednesday. Chaudhry said the matter would be discussed in the meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) next month.
