ISLAMABAD  - Pakistan on Thursday said it wanted a complete end to US drone strikes and not a decrease in their frequency.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam, in her weekly briefing here, said Pakistan’s stance over drone strikes is lucid that they are unacceptable as they kill innocent people and violate Pakistan’s sovereignty. She said Pakistan has consistently discussed this issue with United States and demanded that these violations of territory should stop. The spokesperson said, “Our voice on drones has also been endorsed by the international community.” She said Pakistan also welcomes US President Obama’s statement regarding drone attacks.
About UN Security Council’s resolutions on Kashmir, Tasnim Aslam said, “How one country can decide that these resolutions are not valid.” She said at United Nations, the member states condemned the countries for violating UN resolutions. She said if at some point Pakistan, India and Kashmiri people will reach an agreement on the settlement of Kashmir issue, then they will have to go to UN Security Council to endorse that decisions and bring another resolution to endorse the new procedure.
Replying to a question, the spokesperson said bus service on Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir has been restored while it is expected that truck service will be restored soon.
She said Pakistan has accepted Indian proposal of early convening of working group to discuss LoC trade in order to revisit the modalities in this regard.
Tasnim said Pakistan wants to resolve all disputes with India through dialogue for sustainable peace in the region.
Replying to a question on visits of Saudi high officials, she informed that Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman is reaching Pakistan on a two-day visit. She said during his stay, he will meet prime minister and other officials.
Replying to a question on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, she said project still exists, however, there were some technicalities regarding its timeframe and financing which needed to be discussed with Iran.
She said realistically Pakistan is seeking new timeframe for the completion of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.