Pak committed to peaceful relations with India: FO

Pakistan says it remain fully committed to good neighbourly and peaceful relations with India through resolving all outstanding issues.  
Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary in his weekly news briefing in Islamabad Thursday afternoon said Pakistan has refrained from the practices of allegations and tried to use existing diplomatic channels to find solutions to any problem that may arise due to LOC violations.  He said restrained behaviour demonstrated by the leadership and the government of Pakistan shows maturity.  He said good relationship between India and Pakistan is beneficial for the two countries and for the entire world.
To a question, he said Wullar Barrage is part of composite dialogue and process is underway for fixing of dates.
Answering a question, the Foreign Office Spokesman said no concern was raised by the diplomats during briefing to them regarding the elections.  He said they were mainly interested in procedure.  He said they were given comprehensive briefing by representatives of Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Information and Broadcasting and the Election Commission. He said they were conveyed that the government is committed to holding free, fair and transparent elections.
He said the European Union has approached us to send observers and their request is under process.  To a question, he said we have not received any request from India to send its observers.
Replying to a question, the spokesman said Pakistan has a clear stand on drone attacks that these are counterproductive, illegal and violative of our sovereignty.  He said the same has been conveyed to the UN representative.  He said UN representative will present its report to the General Assembly.  He said it is a good progress that a discussion has been started in the world on different aspects of drone attacks.  He said we are also in touch with the United States for stoppage of drone attacks.
Referring to killing of five Pakistanis in a town of South Africa, the spokesman said our Embassy has raised the issue with concerned authorities that perpetrators of the crime should be brought to justice.  He said police has made some progress in this regard and apprehended one person in this regard.  He said most of the martyred persons belonged to Chakwal except one from Sheikhupura.  He said efforts are being made to transport their bodies to Pakistan.
On Afghanistan, the spokesman said a stable and peaceful Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan and the region.  He hoped that peace would return to Afghanistan.  He said proposal regarding Strategic Partnership Agreement have come from Afghanistan and Pakistan has responded positively. He said it weould help facilitate peace in the region.
To a question, he said Maulvi Faqir Muhammad remains in the custody of Afghan government.

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