Pakistan-Iran ties in good shape, says FO

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Thursday that Pak-Iran relations were in good shape despite the now resolved issue of kidnapping of Iranian border guards. “Pakistan-Iran relations, as I said in the last briefing, are not just about one issue. We have a multifaceted relationship and cooperation… so this relationship needs to be looked at in the broader context,” FO spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said at the weekly media briefing. The kidnapping of five Iranian guards in February, one of whom was later killed by abductors, near the Pak-Iran border, had added to already existing misunderstanding between the two countries that was originally caused by differences over regional issues. Iranian officials had warned of action against alleged terrorist sanctuaries in the Pakistani territory, but Pakistan kept denying that the guards were being held in its area. Four guards were released last week reportedly inside Iran. “Our authorities and security agencies confirmed that they have no indication that these guards were brought to Pakistan and also that there is absolutely no indication that they were released in Pakistan,” Ms Aslam said. The spokesperson said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s planned visit to Iran was still on and dates were being worked out through diplomatic channels. Ms Aslam said that the visit was expected to take place by June this year. “There have been contacts in Islamabad as well as in Tehran regarding the proposed visit of the prime minister and discussions on some meetings that will precede that visit,” she said. The two sides are planning to have a joint ministerial commission meeting ahead of the planned visit to make it substantive. The spokesperson referred to a friendly port call by Pakistan Navy fleet to the Iranian Port as an indication of the good health of bilateral relations. RUSSIA: Ms Aslam said that Pak-Russia relationship too was on a “very positive trajectory”. “We have deepened our engagement. We have a number of projects in the economic domain. There have been political level contacts as well. Our Foreign Secretary visited Russia last year which produced very good interactions. A senior Russian minister has also visited Pakistan in last six months,” Ms Aslam said. She said a committee had been formed to look into a trade dispute with Russia. She expected “a great leap” in relationship with Russia once that trade row was fixed. APP adds: Pakistan on Thursday reiterated that durable peace in the region was linked to resolution of all issues and disputes between Pakistan and India including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said that the two countries had a framework to discuss the issues and dispute comprising eight-point agenda but the process stood disrupted for the last three years. She said that Pakistan looked forward to resumption of the dialogue process with India for the sake of regional peace and in order to allow the two countries to focus on economic development. Replying to a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan was a recognised and legitimate party to Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Commenting on relations Pakistan will have with India if Narendra Modi wins elections, the spokesperson said: “We deal with countries and it is for the people of India to elect whoever they deem fit.” Referring to comments of an Afghan official about talks with Taliban, the spokesperson said talks with TTP were an internal matter of Pakistan and nobody had the right to interfere in the internal affairs. She pointed out that the Afghan government itself was keen to talk with Taliban. Welcoming the successful conduct of elections in Afghanistan, the spokesperson said continuation of democracy was vital for peace and stability in the region. She said Pakistan extended consistent support for security and successful conduct of Afghanistan elections and took a number of measures to reinforce existing security arrangements. Highlighting the measures taken by Pakistan with reference to Afghan elections, she said these included enhanced vigilance and security along the entire length of Pak-Afghan border; sealing of all crossing points, deployment of additional troops, aerial surveillance, and enhanced communication through border coordination centres. She said that on the request of Afghan government, border crossing points at Torkham and Chaman had been kept open to enable eligible Afghan voters in Pakistan to go to Afghanistan to use their right to vote. The spokesperson said Pakistan would work with the next Afghan government and try to give further impetus to bilateral relations in all fields. The spokesperson said that a meeting of Pakistan-US working group on law enforcement and counter-terrorism would take place soon.