Pakistan stands with int’l community on nuclear matters: Foreign Office

In response to Pakistan’s stance on Mina tragedy, the FO spokesman said, “We have full confidence in the ability of Saudi authorities to manage the Hajj affairs and investigate the reasons for the tragedy”.

“We encourage efforts to strengthen safety and security measures and continue to hold regular discussions with Pakistan on a range of global issues, including nuclear security, counter-terrorism, and worldwide norms”, she said.

The Obama administration is exploring a possible civilian nuclear deal with Pakistan ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Washington later this month, a Washington Post columnist has reported, citing a sole source “familiar with the talks” who said Islamabad has been asked to consider “brackets” relating to the deal.

It “might eventually open a path towards a Pakistani version of the civil nuclear deal that was launched with India in 2005”, he wrote. A deal that might lead to an agreement similar to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal.

He also said that the four-point peace initiative presented by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during 70th session of United Nations General Assembly is the most suitable way forward for reducing tensions between Pakistan and India.

“Yes…There was an issue of sequencing (the meetings)”, said MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup when asked about India’s proposal.

While briefing media in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said Pakistan has never been reluctant in holding talks with New Delhi.

Regarding the recent upsurge in violence over cow-slaughtering in India, the spokesperson said the country which claims to be a secular state should guarantee basic rights to its minorities. “Attacks on Muslims on the issue of cow-slaughtering are beyond comprehension and a cause of concern for the Muslim Ummah”, he added.

This information would be helpful to the Secretary General in understanding India’s attitude towards Pakistan and its impact on the regional situation, he added.

He said that cultural exchanges were vital for the improvement of relations between the two countries.

The meeting focused on deliberations regarding the issues of mutual interest between Pakistan and USA, said a statement. This is because they recognised that the best way out of the Afghanistan conflict would be a diplomatic settlement with “the Taliban and its sometime sponsors in Pakistan”, the article said.