War in nobody’s interest, Pakistan is partner for peace: FO

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Pakistan will continue to play its role for peace and stability in the region as war is in nobody’s interest, said Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui on Thursday. At her weekly press briefing, the FO spokesperson pointed out that Pakistan is an important country in the region and it has historic relations with Iran, Saudi Arabia and the US. She said that Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood QUreshi during his engagements in Tehran and Saudi Arabia put forward Pakistan’s point of view that war is in nobody's interest and that we are partner for peace. Second briefing to UNSC on situation in IoK is success of Pakistan Aisha Farooqui said the second briefing to the UNSC on the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) in five months constitutes success of Pakistan to highlight the plight of oppressed Kashmiri people. She said this reaffirms that Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute which is on the agenda of the UNSC for seven decades. Pakistan to extend fully assistance to prisoners in abroad To a question about Pakistani prisoners in foreign jails, the FO spokesperson said Pakistan is cognizant of its responsibility towards them and its missions abroad are extending fully facilitation and assistance to the prisoners. She pointed out that about ten thousand Pakistan nationals are imprisoned in foreign jails and as a result of our efforts, about 4637 prisoners have been released over the last one year. She said our mission in Saudi Arabia is discussing with Saudi authorities the release of its prisoners. “So far five hundred and seventy nine prisoners have been released by Saudi authorities on the clemency announced by the Saudi Crown Prince,” she mentioned. “In addition, fifteen hundred Pakistanis have been released by Saudi Arabia under various other clemencies and completion of their sentences,” she added. PM’s visit to Davos on cards To another question, Aisha Farooqui said the US envoy Alice Wells is expected to visit Pakistan during which talks will be held on the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and regional situation. She said the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Davos is also on the cards. Pakistan welcomes resumption of US-Afghan Taliban talks When asked about US-Taliban talks, Aisha Farooqui said Pakistan has welcomed the resumption of their talks. She hoped the talks will be concluded at the earliest leading to infra Afghan negotiations.