MPs delegation to visit Aafia: FO

When asked whether he could confirm the appointment of Tariq Aziz, a close associate of former president Pervez Musharraf as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India, Sadiq said, “I have seen the news report but I am not aware of any impending change in our High Commission in India.”
To a question as to why is it that no ambassador has still been appointed in China, he said, “The appointments of ambassadors is the prerogative of the government and postings or transfers are a normal event for any government servant.”
“We do not think that the posting or its cancellation are issues of honor,” he added.
To a question on a news item that United Kingdom played a role in the resignation of former president Musharraf and whether other countries were also involved in the process, Sadiq said that he was not aware of the role played by the United Kingdom or any other country the in resignation of the retired general.
He said that the important issue of violation of Pakistani territory by NATO and US led coalition forces operating in Afghanistan was taken up in the recently held Tripartite Commission that was held in Kabul.
“The Commission has expressed satisfaction at the existing level of cooperation between Pakistan and other coalition partners and reiterated its resolve to contribute towards peace and security in the region,” he said.
“Pakistan is a victim of terrorism and it is fully committed to fight against the global menace,” he said.
When asked about Pakistani prisoners abroad, he said there were 1700 illegal immigrants in Turkey, out of which 300 have been repatriated to Pakistan. “Arrangements are being made for the repatriation of the remaining Pakistani prisoners,” he said.
He said that talks were also in progress with Sri Lanka for the repatriation of Pakistani prisoners from there.
He also denied a media report that some 35 Pakistani spectators were arrested by Chinese authorities from the venue of Beijing Olympics. “We have checked the veracity of the news item with the Chinese authorities and were told that it is incorrect. China has not arrested any Pakistani Olympic spectators,” he said.