Pakistan on Thursday said it was keeping a close eye on the situation in Iran and expressed the hope that Tehran would overcome the crisis soon, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi Tahir Andrabi said that Pakistan supported peace and stability in Iran. “We want a peaceful solution to the Iran issue,” he said, and expressed optimism that the government of Iran would soon overcome the crisis.
Andrabi further said that Pakistan was in contact with the US officials in connection with an indefinite suspension of processing of immigrant visa applications for 75 countries, including Pakistan.
However, he said that the review of immigration visa policy by the USA was a routine affair.
The spokesman said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had a telephonic conversation with the Emir of Qatar and both countries agreed to remain in contact with each other. “President Asif Ali Zardari is currently on a tour to Bahrain,” he said, adding that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the OIC’s foreign ministers’ council meeting in Jeddah and reiterated Pakistan’s stance on Somaliland.
Andrabi also strongly condemned inflammatory statements made by the Indian army chief, saying Pakistan rejected baseless allegations levelled by him.
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Andrabi urged India to refrain from baseless rhetoric against Pakistan and focus on growing extremism and religiously motivated terrorism particularly state facilitated Islamophobia within its own territory. He strongly rejected as baseless the allegations by the Indian army chief against Pakistan.
He mentioned that our unparalleled sacrifices against terrorism are internationally recognized. He said the continued clichéd, habitual and delusional Indian rhetoric is a regrettable attempt to exploit the bogey of terrorism for narrow political gains.
The spokesperson said Indian state sponsored terrorism is well documented and alluded to the arrest of Indian serving officer Kulbhushan Jadhav.
He said India should learn to observe civilized inter-state norms and refrain from irresponsible allegations that have dangerous potential to further vitiate tension in an already volatile and nuclearized environment.
Responding to a question, Tahir Andrabi strongly condemned the conviction of prominent Kashmiri political leaders Asiya Andrabi and her two associates.
He said this conviction after sham trials underscores the continued misuse of draconian laws to silence legitimate political voices in IIOJK.
He mentioned that Asiya Andrabi had spent several years in incarceration for peacefully advocating the fundamental rights and freedom of the Kashmiri people. Her conviction reflects a broader pattern of intimidation and coercion faced by the genuine Kashmiri leadership. He said this is a stark reminder of the suffering of the people population subjected to systematic repression.
He said Pakistan remains steadfast in its diplomatic, political and moral support for the Kashmiri people and their just struggle for the inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in the UN resolutions.
When asked about Iran-US tension, the spokesperson said Pakistan is closely watching the developments related to the situation in Iran. He said Pakistan attaches great importance to Iran as a neighbouring country and as an important member of international community. He hoped peace and stability will prevail and reaffirmed Pakistan's support for all efforts aimed at peaceful resolution of the situation.
The spokesperson hoped that the livelihood and financial support measures announced by Iranian government for traders and the public would help alleviate the hardships faced by the people. He expressed the confidence that Iranian nation would overcome all challenges and emerge stronger. He said a stable and peaceful Iran free from domestic unrest is in Pakistan's interest.
When asked about the recent US decision to suspend immigrant visa processing for Pakistan and seventy-four other countries, Tahir Andrabi expressed hope that the United States would soon resume immigrant visa processing. He said Pakistan views the recent suspension as part of an internal review.
Reporter Anwer Abbas