National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Pakistan on Thursday said there
was no change in its stance on the Jammu and Kashmir issue and
pointed, that being the oldest issue on the agenda of the
United Nations, the dispute needs to be addressed.
Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria told reporters
here at the weekly press briefing, he welcomed the recognition
by the United States of America that it was a dispute.
He said the Kashmiris were struggling for their right
of self-determination.
The Spokesman said Pakistan would continue to extend
moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris
till the implementation of the UN resolutions.
He said the issue would be taken up whenever the two
countries hold talks.
The Spokesman said initiatives have been taken for
Confidence Building at the leadership level between the
two countries, however regretted that levelling of
allegations were of no help to lowering tensions between
the two countries.
To a question, the Spokesman said Pakistan has released
87 Indian prisoners including fishermen and civilian and said
Pakistan would release more people who have completed their
sentence terms. He, however, pointed that India has released
only four civilians.
He said people-to-people contacts were an important
factor in improving ties with the neighbours. He said such
contacts were not only important in arts and culture but
also on religious levels and mentioned the large number
of Sikh Yatrees who visit Pakistan.
He said under the vision of the Prime Minister, Pakistan
desired good relations with all its neighbours.
Zakaria said Pakistan, China, Afghanistan and the United
States were part of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group for
dialogue between the Afghan Government and the Taliban and
added it was the collective responsibility of all the
stakeholders to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.
He said it was the only way for an Afghan-led and an
Afghan-owned Peace and Reconciliation Process.
He said Pakistan has offered the venue for the talks
between the Afghan government and the Taliban groups, however
added that the date has not been finalized yet.
The Spokesman said Pakistan will always remain at the
forefront to counter terrorism. He termed terrorism not
only a menace for Pakistan but also a big concern for all
the regions and the world at large.