ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal has said Pakistan is not striking any deal with US on the matter of Dr Shakeel Afridi.
“Shakil Afridi who is involved in anti Pakistan activities has been shifted to some undisclosed destination from Peshawar jail due to security concerns. No deal is underway with US on the matter of Shakil Afridi. This issue is being seen by interior ministry”, Dr Faisal said this during his weekly press briefing here at FO Thursday.
He brushed aside the reports of swapping Afridi for Hussain Haqqani or Aafia Siddiqui .
During the course of hearing of Memogate case in Supreme Court (SC), Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) had inquired from DG FIA about handing over former Pakistan ambassador to US Hussain Haqqani to Pakistan and DG FIA had replied that US authorities had said in this regard that their one man is with Pakistan.
Talking of Kashmir issue he said Pakistan raised the issue of Indian brutalities against Kashmiris in Occupied Kashmir in the meeting of OIC Contact Group. Not only the member countries of OIC but also the entire Muslim Ummah stands with Pakistan on this issue. Foreign secretary had made it clear in the meeting of OIC that key to Kashmir issue lies in negotiations.
Responding to a question about tension in Afghanistan he said presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan gives a chance to the terrorists to hide. The repatriation of Afghan refugees is not only the responsibility of Pakistan but it is also the corporate obligation of international community. Afghan refugees return to Afghanistan is the top most priority of Pakistan. Pakistan has talked to US, other European countries and Afghan government on this count.
He held that Pakistan wants to complete fencing of its borders with Afghanistan soon for the sake of security.
He said Pakistan handed over Indian citizens to Indian authorities on humanitarian basis. However humanitarian grounds should not be construed as Pakistan weakness.
About ties with US he said talks are underway for improvement in bilateral relations with US. He however avoided to give more details on this count.
Responding to a question he said work is underway to give all fundamental rights to people of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is expected that reforms process will be completed during the tenure of present government.
Foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua will soon attend a conference in Dhakka in connection with resolution of Kashmir issue besides highlighting Indian troops continued brutalities against Kashmiris in held Kashmir at international level.
