The Foreign Office on Thursday said no conditions were placed during US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad’s recent visit to Pakistan.
During his weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said, “Khalilzad met with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and assured him of cooperation.”
“We have started a discussion with US over a coalition support fund,” he added.
Dr Faisal continued, “US president Donald Trump’s letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted the fact that Afghanistan is an important issue for the region.” On Monday, President Trump had written a letter to PM Imran seeking Pakistan’s assistance in the Afghan peace process.
Responding to news regarding a Taliban delegation in Pakistan, Dr Faisal said, “The solution to the Afghan war is political, not military. Pakistan believes in moving forward.”
On the subject of atrocities by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir, the foreign office spokesperson said, “Indian forces continue with their atrocities in the region.”
He continued, “India should stop misleading the world and should accept actual facts.” Dr Faisal added, “Pakistan aims to open Kartarpur corridor before Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary next year.”
“Pakistan wants reconciliation with India on occupied Kashmir issue and others and we are hoping for a positive response from them,” the spokesperson added.
He asserted, “The Kartarpur corridor will not move the limelight from Kashmir issue. It should be kept in mind Kashmir is at the top of Pakistan’s agenda.”
Regarding the increase in dollar price, Dr Faisal said that it has nothing to do with the foreign ministry and it is the responsibility of the finance ministry to maintain the price of the dollar.
Clearing the air regarding reports aired on Chinese state television about Kashmir becoming a part of China, Dr Faisal said, “There is no truth to the reports and China has informed Pakistan about it. The Chinese state television used a pre-approved map in which occupied Kashmir was show in white.”
