Swiss, UK govts moved over Baloch leaders anti-Pakistan activities: FO

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office has moved the European countries providing asylum to Baloch leaders to make sure their soil was not used against Pakistan, Geo News reported.

Foreign Office Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit while replying to questions in his weekly press briefing here said, “Pakistan has raised this question with the concerned countries, adding a demarche has been issued to ambassador of Switzerland in Islamabad.”

Abdul Basit said Islamabad has also wrote to the relevant countries in this regard and was assured by them that their soil would not be used to hatch anarchy in Pakistan.

“We are cognizant of the developments in Balochistan and necessary steps have also been taken,” he added.

The spokesman said Pakistan s trying to handle the situation in the province politically adding “it is our internal issue and will be dealt with in accordance with the constitution and our own preferences”.

He said, “The foreign office and our missions abroad are engaged actively in order to ensure that this issue is not portrayed in any other context by the detractors.”

On the issue of Balochistan, the spokesman said Pakistan has been handling the situation politically in accordance with its own laws, priorities and constitution.

He also disclosed that years ago US embassy had applied for opening a consulate in Balochistan but Pakistan declined the request.

To a question, he also said that the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir has not been shelved or put on back burner while normalizing the relations with India.
Basit said, “Pakistan always supported the Kashmir issue and emphasized the need that it should be resolved in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue is essential for viable peace in South Asia.”

The spokesman said, “there is no question that Kashmir issue has been freezed or put at back burner” adding that Jammu and Kashmir dispute is of people of Kashmir. He said the Kashmir dispute required resolution in accordance with right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir.

Referring to the meeting of United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva on 5th of this month, the spokesman, said the violation of human rights issue was discussed in this meeting and UNHRC also asked India to repeal some of the laws in Jammu Kashmir to protect human rights of Kashmiris.

The spokesman said the Kashmiris have rendered enormous sacrifices for their alienable rights.

The spokesman said, “Pakistan is taking steps to normalize relations with India but reaching the final destination will inevitably contingent upon realization of the aspirations of Kashmiris.”

He said Kashmiris have given innumerable sacrifices in their just struggle for right to self determination and settlement of this issue in accordance with the UN resolutions is essential for viable peace in the region.

The spokesman said the UN special rappateur on Human Rights has recently urged India to repeal all black laws including Jammu and Kashmir public safety act.

Replying to a question about the Siachen issue, the spokesman said, “We seek early resolution of this problem like the other issues including the core Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”

He said Siachen issue has been raised in the resumed dialogue process with India.